The International Protection of the Environment During Armed Conflicts

Abstract

This study addresses the issue of international protection of the environment during armed conflicts, as one of the most pressing challenges facing the international community. The consequences of wars are not limited to humanitarian and material destruction, but also extend to the environment and its essential elements for human survival. International treaties and customary rules have increasingly emphasized the legal protection of the environment during armed conflicts, alongside the active role played by international organizations such as the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The study aims to clarify the legal foundations governing the protection of the environment during armed conflicts, and to analyze the adequacy of existing international instruments in limiting environmental violations, while highlighting the international responsibility arising from such violations, both criminal and civil. It also seeks to identify the legal framework through which states and parties causing environmental damage may be held accountable, in order to ensure the protection of civilians and the reduction of humanitarian suffering. The research adopts an analytical methodology in examining the relevant international treaties and customary rules, in addition to reviewing the role of international organizations in providing legal responses. The study concludes that current international efforts still suffer from shortcomings in practical implementation, which necessitates the development of more effective legal mechanisms to guarantee compliance with international rules on environmental protection during armed conflicts.