Wars often leave behind more than just human and economic devastation; they also cause lasting environmental damage.
Recent concerns raised by Ukraine’s Environmental Protection Minister, Svitlana Grynchuk, and Nisreen Tamimi, Chair of Palestine’s Environmental Quality Authority, highlight how conflicts exacerbate global ecological crises.
Grynchuk pointed to Russia’s “unlawful reporting” of carbon emissions from Ukrainian territories under its control, accusing it of undermining the Paris Agreement’s core goal of ensuring transparent climate accountability.
This act not only compromises the international treaty but also obscures the true environmental toll of the conflict in Ukraine.
Damaged ecosystems, polluted rivers, and disrupted agricultural systems further add to Ukraine’s ecological challenges.
Green reconstruction: Balancing rebuilding efforts with the need to protect the planet.In Gaza, the story is similarly grim. Tamimi warned that the reconstruction process following widespread destruction could release up to 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
While rebuilding is essential for human survival and dignity, this process poses a serious threat to local air quality and global climate goals.
The dilemma highlights the conflict between immediate human needs and long-term environmental sustainability.
These cases demonstrate that the environmental consequences of war are not contained within borders.
From carbon emissions to biodiversity loss, the damage accelerates climate change and compromises international environmental commitments.
Addressing these challenges requires global cooperation, including transparent carbon accounting, robust funding for green reconstruction, and stronger enforcement of international environmental agreements.
Wars may seem like isolated events, but their ripple effects on the planet remind us of the urgent need to integrate environmental concerns into peacebuilding efforts.