Britta Sjöstedt

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.