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A (Limited) Role of International Law in Tackling Environmental Degradation During Protracted Conflicts

Sjöstedt, Britta LU (2026) Protracted conflicts and international law p.153-170
Abstract
This chapter explores the links between climate change, environmental degradation, and protracted armed conflicts, focusing on how international law can facilitate effective environmental interventions. It examines how international law, particularly the work of the UN International Law Commission on the Protection of the Environment in relation to Armed Conflicts (PERAC) Principles, international humanitarian law (IHL), and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and prevent further environmental degradation in armed conflicts. Environmental degradation in conflicts is complex, tied to socio-economic structures, illicit economies, and corrupt governance, which worsen environmental... (More)
This chapter explores the links between climate change, environmental degradation, and protracted armed conflicts, focusing on how international law can facilitate effective environmental interventions. It examines how international law, particularly the work of the UN International Law Commission on the Protection of the Environment in relation to Armed Conflicts (PERAC) Principles, international humanitarian law (IHL), and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and prevent further environmental degradation in armed conflicts. Environmental degradation in conflicts is complex, tied to socio-economic structures, illicit economies, and corrupt governance, which worsen environmental damage and social instability. These challenges complicate the effectiveness of international legal frameworks in addressing environmental concerns during warfare. Furthermore, the chapter assesses conservation efforts during prolonged conflicts and how MEAs can support conflict-sensitive interventions. Even though MEAs and other legal tools may offer guidance, the underlying structural issues require political solutions that go beyond the ability of environmental protection efforts and existing international law. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
From Protracted Conflict to Sustainable Peace? : The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus and International Law - The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus and International Law
editor
Krieger, Heike ; Jokubauskaite, Giedre ; Ozcelik, Asli and Buser, Andreas
pages
18 pages
publisher
Oxford University Press
conference name
Protracted conflicts and international law
conference location
Berlin, Germany
conference dates
2022-06-30 - 2022-07-01
ISBN
9780198967385
9780198967378
DOI
10.1093/9780198967385.003.0011
project
The International Legal Dimension of Environmental Peacebuilding
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
a417939f-91e0-4874-a662-342d6c98ec5e
date added to LUP
2026-05-25 10:02:29
date last changed
2026-05-26 09:15:30
@inbook{a417939f-91e0-4874-a662-342d6c98ec5e,
  abstract     = {{This chapter explores the links between climate change, environmental degradation, and protracted armed conflicts, focusing on how international law can facilitate effective environmental interventions. It examines how international law, particularly the work of the UN International Law Commission on the Protection of the Environment in relation to Armed Conflicts (PERAC) Principles, international humanitarian law (IHL), and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and prevent further environmental degradation in armed conflicts. Environmental degradation in conflicts is complex, tied to socio-economic structures, illicit economies, and corrupt governance, which worsen environmental damage and social instability. These challenges complicate the effectiveness of international legal frameworks in addressing environmental concerns during warfare. Furthermore, the chapter assesses conservation efforts during prolonged conflicts and how MEAs can support conflict-sensitive interventions. Even though MEAs and other legal tools may offer guidance, the underlying structural issues require political solutions that go beyond the ability of environmental protection efforts and existing international law.}},
  author       = {{Sjöstedt, Britta}},
  booktitle    = {{From Protracted Conflict to Sustainable Peace? : The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus and International Law}},
  editor       = {{Krieger, Heike and Jokubauskaite, Giedre and Ozcelik, Asli and Buser, Andreas}},
  isbn         = {{9780198967385}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  pages        = {{153--170}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  title        = {{A (Limited) Role of International Law in Tackling Environmental Degradation During Protracted Conflicts}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/9780198967385.003.0011}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/9780198967385.003.0011}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}