International Human Rights Days

Since 2  001, every year on November 6th the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict can be observed. This day was implemented to highlight the role of action on the environment as part of conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies. It recognizes that there can be no durable peace if natural resources that sustain the ecosystems and livelihood are destroyed. With violent conflict increasing, this day has become increasingly important.

The environment is the silent victim of armed conflict, as they increase CO2 emissions, becoming an important part of the yearly CO2 emissions. Here, the Gulf War accounted for 2% of the global emissions of that year and the first 7 months of the Ukraine-Russian War released as much CO2 as Netherland did during the same time period. This is especially problematic because we are trying to actively fight against increased emissions and climate change, but armed conflict accelerates it. The second problem is that the environment is often targeted as part of active warfare and third is the destruction of the environment as part of the fighting. Therefore, a country often comes out with less natural resources after war, which can reignite the conflict, especially in times during which wars over natural resources have become more common.

Therefore, because it is a human right to be able to access a healthy and sustained environment. This international day is and continues to be of high importance, especially in times during which armed conflict is rising

Sources

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict

SDGs

International Day of Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, UN

Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment

Written by Selma von den Hoff

 for Yonsei GSIS Human Rights Hub