On 6 November each year, the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict brings attention to a pressing but often overlooked issue: the impact of armed conflict on natural resources and ecosystems. Environmental exploitation during conflict has profound implications, often damaging essential resources such as water, soil, and forests while threatening sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts. As societies worldwide prioritise sustainable growth and protection of the environment, understanding this connection is critical to advancing global goals and ensuring a sustainable future.
The environmental toll of conflict
Wars and armed conflicts inflict lasting scars on the environment, with far-reaching consequences. Crops are destroyed, forests are stripped, and waterways are contaminated, often as deliberate military strategies. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that in the last 60 years, over 40% of internal conflicts have involved the exploitation of natural resources like timber, diamonds, gold, and oil. Even more concerning, conflicts over scarce resources such as fertile land and water are twice as likely to relapse into violence.
This situation not only devastates ecosystems but also hinders communities' access to essential resources, impeding their ability to recover post-conflict. Through environmental degradation, these regions face significant challenges to sustainable development, posing obstacles to achieving economic equality and social justice in conflict-affected societies.
Global partnerships for environmental protection and peace
To address these complex challenges, global collaboration plays a vital role. Initiatives such as the EU-UN Partnership on Land and Natural Resource Conflicts involve multiple UN agencies, including UNEP, UNDP, UN-Habitat, and the European Union, to prevent and transform tensions over natural resources. This partnership’s goal is to integrate environmental protection into conflict prevention strategies, ensuring that resources are managed sustainably.
Furthermore, the Global Research Programme on Post-Conflict Peacebuilding and Natural Resources—a collaboration between UNEP, the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and universities in Tokyo and McGill—has conducted comprehensive studies to guide natural resource management during peacebuilding. Spanning four years and involving over 230 experts from 55 countries, this programme provides essential insights into effectively using resources to support post-conflict recovery.
Recognising the role of women in resource management
Gender equality is also increasingly recognised as essential to sustainable resource management and peacebuilding. The UN Partnership on Women and Natural Resources in Peacebuilding Settings, a collaboration between UNEP, UN Women, and UNDP, highlights the critical role women play in natural resource management in conflict zones. By integrating gender equality into resource governance, this initiative aims to build peace and justice in post-conflict areas and align efforts with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5.
Statistics that highlight the urgency
The ecological damage caused by conflict underlines the need for sustainable solutions. According to UNEP:
90% of major armed conflicts between 1950 and 2000 occurred in countries with high biodiversity, devastating critical ecosystems.
In recent conflicts, more than 1.5 million square kilometres of forest area have been lost or severely degraded.
The degradation of natural resources costs affected nations up to $14 billion in potential annual earnings, impacting local economies and hampering economic equality.
Such data underscores the urgency for global efforts to address these challenges, which ultimately contribute to climate action, social stability, and long-term peace.
Building a collaborative path forward
Global collaboration and commitment are essential in preventing environmental exploitation in conflict settings. As more organisations focus on sustainable approaches and resource management, there is hope that the impact of conflict on the environment can be reduced. For example, UNEP’s ongoing efforts to include environmental protection in peacekeeping strategies represent a critical step forward. Without safeguarding natural resources, achieving durable peace and sustainability is impossible, which is why the UN's focus on global goals and its partnerships remain essential.
In summary, preventing the exploitation of the environment in war and conflict is not only crucial for environmental sustainability but also for achieving peace and justice worldwide. The global society has an opportunity to protect ecosystems through science-based strategies, collaborative initiatives, and by integrating sustainable development into conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Continued efforts and strengthened international partnerships are key to fostering resilience and ensuring a sustainable future for all.
Further reading and more information
To learn more about ongoing initiatives and global efforts to prevent environmental exploitation in conflict zones, explore the United Nations Environment Programme’s resources on environmental protection in conflict, the Environmental Law Institute, and UN Women’s work in gender equality and peacebuilding.