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

  Occupations may be relatively short-lived, or can last decades. While states have an obligation to protect the occupied population, their environmental obligations are less well defined. As with conflicts, occupations can hold back sustainable development, for example by limiting access to materials or technologies, or by acting as a barrier to investment. Pre-existing environmental programmes and projects may be curtailed, or replaced by a new incoming administration. Particularly problematic in the face of the intensifying climate crisis, occupations can also constrain the ability of communities to adapt to climate change, rendering them more vulnerable. A water tower lies ruined in Gaza 2014. Sporadic periods of violence during conflicts cause damage to environmental infrastructure that often goes unrepaired. Credit: Robin Lloyd/ECHO A lack of investment and development can lead to the slow collapse of critical environmental infrastructure , infrastructure that may be damage...