Doha, November 05 (QNA) - 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.
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)آ are 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. 

UNEP's report said "That comes as over 500,000 people in Gaza are facingآ famine conditions, with about 1 million others in a food emergency."
The loss of vegetation and compaction by military activity have affected soil structure and reduced its ability to absorb water, increasing runoff and flood risks, and reducing groundwater recharge.," it added.
"The situation is going from bad to worse," UN officials warned. "If this continues, it will leave a legacy of environmental destruction that could affect the health and wellbeing of generations of Gaza residents."آ 
As the global population continues to rise, and the demand for resources continues to grow, there is significant potential for conflicts over natural resources to intensify in the coming decades. In addition, the potential consequences of climate change for water availability, food security, prevalence of disease, coastal boundaries, and population distribution may aggravate existing tensions and generate new conflicts.
Since its establishment nearly a quarter of a century ago, the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict has become a platform for international dialogue, with countries and NGOs participating in seminars and events aimed at integrating environmental protection into peace strategies and conflict prevention.
Culminating a long history of international agreements and treaties regulating armed conflicts, the Paris Agreementآ of 2015 was adopted as the first global climate agreement, dedicating specific provisions to criminalize violations of the environment. This was also stipulated in the articles of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court issued in 1998, which considered acts that cause widespread and long-term damage to the natural environment as a form of war crime.
The United Nations emphasizes that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires bold and urgent action to reduce the likelihood that environmental degradation and climate change will lead to conflicts, and a strong commitment to protecting the planet from the harmful effects of war.
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
Celebrating the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is a call for the world to rethink peace strategies, since lasting peace can never be achieved without a healthy environment. As the planet cannot sustain further harm, the UN places great importance on incorporating environmental action into comprehensive plans for conflict prevention and peacebuilding, since there can be no lasting peace if natural resources supporting livelihoods and ecosystems are destroyed.
The growing global commitment to protecting the environment emphasizes its critical importance for humanity, and protecting it is essential to safeguard this unique planet, keeping its air and water as clean as possible to ensure the continued existence of life on Earth. (QNA)