Doha: Countries around the world and international environmental organizations observe the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict on Nov. 6 each year, according to the United Nations General Assembly resolution issued on Nov. 5, 2001. This occasion aims to highlight the environmental damage caused by armed conflicts, such as water pollution and forest destruction, and to remind the world that environmental protection is an integral part of sustainable peace, while emphasizing the prevention of using the environment as a tool in wars and conflicts.

According to Qatar News Agency, the United Nations established this day based on international awareness and commitment to environmental protection, recognizing that the impacts of wars extend beyond human losses to the destruction of natural heritage upon which humans rely for food, water, air, and survival. Although human losses in wars are always counted in terms of dead and wounded soldiers and civilians, as well as destroyed cities and infrastructure, the environment often remains a silent and unrecognized victim of war. The consequences go beyond loss of life and material damage, extending to the degradation of ecosystems and destruction of natural habitats.

As the pace of armed conflicts increases, so does the exploitation of natural resources, leading to climate change, deterioration of air and water quality, and loss of biodiversity. The environmental effects of wars are varied and complex, resulting from the use of chemical weapons, deforestation, and pollution of soil and water by hazardous materials. The use of cluster bombs and chemical weapons can contaminate large areas of land, rendering them unsuitable for agriculture or habitation for long periods. Armed conflicts also lead to displacement and refugee flows, which in turn place enormous pressure on the ecosystems in the areas where people settle, severely depleting available resources.

Despite the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) being inspired by the idea that no one should be left behind, violent conflicts prevent many countries from moving forward. Conflict-affected states are less likely to reach their SDG targets. Currently, approximately one in every five people is living in an area affected by fragility, conflict or violence, and by 2030, more than 80 per cent of the world's poorest populations may be concentrated in countries affected by fragility, conflict and violence.

For example, the two years of Israeli war on Gaza have caused unprecedented levels of environmental damage in the Strip, damaging its soils, freshwater supplies and coastline, according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The report warned that the recovery from some of that damage could take decades. It noted that much of Gaza's vegetation has been destroyed. "Since 2023, the enclave has lost 97 per cent of its tree crops, 95 per cent of its shrubland and 82 per cent of its annual crops. Food production at scale is not possible," the report added.