Concerns over the Environmental cost of war

Context

Experts have raised concerns with respect to environmental impact and associated environmental costs of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

About Environmental costs of war

1. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, only a few countries globally are conflict-free, despite this being considered the most peaceful century.
   1. Even in comparatively peaceful nations, security forces consume extensive resources.
   2. However, during war, the environment experiences neglect, exploitation, human desperation, and deliberate abuse on a significant scale.
2. Factors Deciding the Cost
   1. The environmental impact of wars and the extent of which depends on various factors, such as the
      1. Nature and length of the conflict
      2. What weapons were mostly used, and
      3. How big an area is occupied etc.

Different stages of War and its associated environmental impact

1. Before war/Initial phase of war
   1. Exploitation of Resources
      1. Building military forces consumes vast resources, including metals, water, and energy, primarily met through oil.
   2. GHG emissions:
      1. Military overall requires significant energy, and it’s mostly derived from fossil fuel, which results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
         1. For example, British military activity is responsible for approximately 50% of all UK government emissions.
   3. Compromise with the existing conservation efforts
      1. Excessive military spending and the use of biodiversity-critical areas for military bases, testing, training, etc. impacts the existing efforts.
2. War
   1. Pollution
      1. Debris from explosive weapons causes significant air and soil pollution.
      2. Wrecked or damaged ships, submarines, cause oil spill.
   2. Deforestation:
      1. Caused by weapons containing white phosphorus, bombing of protected areas, etc.
         1. For example, During Vietnam War US military cleared rainforests in Vietnam to enable them to see their enemies more easily,
   3. Invasive species threat:
      1. War causes devastating destruction to ecosystems including species loss, and
         1. creates the conducive condition for the growth of new invasive species.
3. After war
   1. Radiation:
      1. Nuclear-weapons may have a lasting impact on the environment as was seen in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the aftermath of World War 2.
      2. Also, the pollutants of the war may get accumulated in the food chain.
   2. Wildlife crime:
      1. Easy access to small arms results in the Increased hunting and poaching activities.
      2. Post war creates ungoverned spaces that contribute to wildlife crime.
   3. Impact on Conservation efforts:
      1. Researchers face restricted access to protected areas, and the government may cut the budget for projects under international environmental obligations.
   4. Reduced ecosystem services:
      1. Irreversible loss of biodiversity and soil nutrients reduces ecosystem services and cycles.
   5. Some Other issues:
      1. Deforestation, forced human displacement, and associated exploitation of resources exacerbate environmental footprints of war.

Initiatives to minimize the impact

1. Following Initiatives and principles aim to minimize the environmental impact of war and encourage responsible conduct during armed conflicts include :
   1. Geneva Convention:
      1. Imposes restrictions on warfare methods aiming to cause widespread, long-term, and severe damage to the natural environment.
   2. Brundtland Report (1987)
      1. The report “Our Common Future” introduced the concept of sustainable development.
      2. It also emphasizes that Armed conflict and rivalry pose significant barriers to sustainable development.
   3. Stockholm Conference (1972)
      1. Prohibits the use of all weapons of mass destruction.
   4. UN Conference on Environment and Development (1992 Rio Conference)
      1. Principle 24 emphasizes that armed conflict is fundamentally harmful to sustainable development, urging nations to adhere to international environmental norms during war.
      2. Principle 25 emphasizes the interconnectedness and indivisibility of peace and sustainable development.
   5. Rome Statutes – Article 12
      1. Addresses the responsibility of states regarding environmental damage in armed conflicts.
   6. International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict:
      1. Recognizes the importance of preventing environmental exploitation during conflicts.
   7. Draft Principles on Protection of the Environment in Relation to Armed Conflicts:
      1. Adopted by the International Law Commission, these principles provide a framework for environmental protection during armed conflicts.
   8. UN Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques (ENMOD)
      1. Aims to prevent the military or hostile use of environmental modification techniques.

Challenges associated with environmental cost of war

1. Limited knowledge:
   1. Many of the wars have occurred within biodiversity hotspots, however, understanding of environmental costs of war is limited.
2. Difficulty in Quantifying:
   1. Environmental damage from war is challenging to measure, with disruptions to monitoring systems and unreported pollution caused by military activities.
3. Exclusion from Paris Climate Agreement:
   1. Armaments and the military are not included in the Paris Climate  Agreement, exempting them from reporting to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
4. Competing Priorities Post-Conflict:
   1. After conflicts end, immediate reconstruction efforts prioritize housing, infrastructure, and services over environmental considerations.
5. Vicious Circle:
   1. Climate change (a hidden cost of war on the environment) makes resources scarcer and increases vulnerabilities.
      1. This creates an ongoing cycle where resource depletion and heightened vulnerabilities contribute to conflicts which exacerbate the cost of war on the environment, perpetuating the cycle.

Way ahead to mitigate war’s impact on the environment

1. UN Framework on Climate Change:
   1. Create binding global agreements under the UN Framework on Climate Change to address military and conflict emissions.
      1. Hold responsible parties accountable based on the “polluter pays” principle.
2. Green Post-Conflict Recovery:
   1. Prioritize green and sustainable recovery post-conflict, considering climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution concerns.
3. Military Training:
   1. Educate Armed Forces members on emission reduction and environmental preservation, adapting training to the operational environment and tasks, including Humanitarian Aid, Disaster Relief, and resilience-building in climate-vulnerable countries.
4. Decarbonizing Military:
   1. Implement efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as replacing petroleum-fueled vehicles with hybrid and electric cars, installing solar arrays, and enforcing emission reductions in the supply chain.
      1. UK’s Ministry of Defence has developed a Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy
      2. Switzerland has set a goal to create a carbon-neutral military by 2050.