Environmental Impact of the War

UPSC Syllabus: Gs Paper 3- Environment

Introduction

Conflicts create large environmental damage through emissions, pollution, and weak governance. The first 14 days of the US–Israel war on Iran emitted over 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, exceeding 84 countries combined. Militaries are major polluters, and their activities release toxins, damage ecosystems, and weaken environmental systems. These impacts continue before, during, and after conflicts, affecting climate, resources, and human survival.

Pre Conflict Phase Militarisation and Environmental Degradation

1. High Resource Consumption and Emissions: Militaries use large amounts of metals, minerals, water, and hydrocarbons. They contribute around 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and their emissions often exceed those of many countries.
2. Energy Intensive Military Systems: Military vehicles, aircraft, and infrastructure depend on oil with low efficiency. Continuous training and readiness further increase emissions and resource use.
3. Large Land Use and Ecological Impact: Military lands cover 1–6% of global land surface, often in sensitive ecosystems. Training and testing damage habitats and create chemical and noise pollution.
4. Weapon Production and Disposal Pollution: Disposal of weapons through burning, detonation, or sea dumping causes long-term pollution. Even conventional weapons create environmental risks.
5. Legacy Pollution and Emerging Risks: Weak oversight has created long-term pollution, including Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination. Overseas bases often face reduced environmental regulation.
6. Diversion from Sustainable Development: High military spending reduces investment in environmental protection. It also weakens global cooperation on climate issues and resource management.

Environmental Impact During Conflict Direct and Indirect Damage

1. Massive Emissions and Fuel Use: High intensity conflicts consume large fuel volumes and increase emissions. The Russia–Ukraine war produced 230 MtCO2e in three years, showing the scale of impact.
2. Destruction of Land and Urban Areas: Explosions and heavy vehicle movement damage landscapes, while urban warfare creates debris that causes air and soil pollution, worsening environmental quality.
3. Damage to Industrial and Energy Infrastructure: Attacks on oil, nuclear, and industrial facilities release toxic pollutants and cause long-term environmental damage. In the 2026 US–Israel strikes on Iran, oil depots and refineries were hit, releasing large clouds of toxic smoke and causing “black rain.” This led to breathing problems, soil and water contamination, and air pollution spreading to neighbouring regions.
4. Severe Pollution from Scorched Earth Tactics: Burning crops and destroying water systems harm food security and livelihoods. These actions create long-term environmental damage.
5. Toxic Weapons and Hazardous Materials: Weapons like depleted uranium and white phosphorus cause toxic and radioactive pollution. Chemical defoliants have caused long-term ecological damage.
6. Environmental Legacy of Military Waste: Landmines and munitions pollute soil and water. Military scrap releases harmful materials and creates health risks.
7. Biodiversity Loss and Wildlife Crime: Weak governance increases poaching and illegal hunting. Conservation efforts weaken, and protected areas lose protection.
8. Deforestation and Conflict Driven Resource Exploitation: Conflict increases dependence on wood and natural resources for survival, leading to overuse and deforestation. At the same time, armed groups control oil, minerals, and timber, and use practices like mercury-based mining, which pollute water bodies and deepen environmental degradation.
9. Human Displacement and Environmental Pressure: Refugee camps strain water, forests, and sanitation systems. Many camps are located in Key Biodiversity Areas.
10. Urban Pressure and Waste Mismanagement: Migration increases pressure on infrastructure, and system breakdown leads to dumping and burning, increasing pollution.
11. Breakdown of Environmental Governance: Laws and monitoring systems collapse during conflict. This allows uncontrolled pollution and weakens environmental protection.
12. Reduced International Cooperation: Conflicts disrupt global environmental programmes and weaken coordination, as countries struggle to meet obligations under frameworks like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Military emissions reporting remains poor under the UNFCCC, showing that conflict situations reduce transparency and limit effective global climate action.
13. Conflict as Reverse Development: Environmental damage sets back development for years. Progress in climate and biodiversity protection is lost.

Environmental Impact During Occupations and Resource Inequality

1. Weak Environmental Protection and Governance: Environmental obligations remain unclear during occupations. Development slows and environmental programmes weaken.
2. Damage to Infrastructure and Landscapes: Military presence damages land through construction and movement. Walls and barriers disrupt ecosystems and wildlife.
3. Poor Waste Management at Military Bases: Improper waste handling harms public health and ecosystems. Pollution increases in occupied areas.
4. Inequitable Resource Use and Over Extraction: Occupying powers control water and minerals. This leads to resource depletion and environmental degradation.
5. Limited Environmental Rights for Local Population: People face poor services and higher pollution. They lack equal access to environmental protection.
6. Politically Driven Development without Oversight: Infrastructure projects are carried out with limited environmental checks. This increases long-term damage.

Post Conflict Phase Long Term Environmental Consequences

1. Weak Governance and Institutional Failure: Environmental systems remain weak after conflicts. Limited focus is given due to social and economic priorities.
2. Debris and Waste Management Challenges: Large volumes of rubble create pollution risks. Poor disposal methods increase environmental harm.
3. Continuation of Harmful Practices: Survival practices from conflict continue after peace. These include unsustainable resource use and pollution.
4. Land Rights Issues and Environmental Pressure: Return of displaced people increases pressure on land. This leads to deforestation and resource stress.
5. Sharp Rise in Deforestation: Forest clearing increases rapidly in post conflict areas. It often exceeds state control capacity.
6. Military Pollution and Base Impacts: Continued military presence causes pollution. Practices like burn pits harm health and environment.
7. Landmine Clearance and Soil Damage: Removal of explosive remnants damages soil and land use. It also causes local pollution.
8. Long Term Impact on Environmental Governance: Damage to governance affects climate, biodiversity, and pollution control. Recovery remains slow.
9. High Environmental Cost of Reconstruction: Rebuilding cities requires large resources. This increases emissions and environmental stress.

Environmental Opportunities for Sustainable Recovery and Peacebuilding

1. Scope for Cooperation through Shared Resources: Shared natural resources can promote dialogue between conflicting parties. Common environmental threats encourage cooperation.
2. Shift towards Renewable Energy: Unstable energy supply can lead to adoption of solar power. This reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
3. Green Reconstruction Opportunities: Post conflict rebuilding allows for sustainable development models. It creates chances to build greener systems.
4. Strengthening Environmental Legal Frameworks: New laws and systems can improve resource management. There is growing focus on accountability.
5. Rising Global Awareness and Accountability: Public attention to environmental damage is increasing. This supports calls for stronger protection and data systems.

Conclusion

Conflicts cause long lasting environmental damage across all phases by increasing emissions, destroying ecosystems, and weakening governance systems. These impacts are global and transboundary in nature. They also reduce international cooperation and delay climate action. Ensuring accountability and strengthening environmental protection during conflicts are essential. Promoting sustainable recovery is equally important to prevent irreversible damage and ensure a stable and liveable future for all.

Question for practice:

1. Discuss the environmental impact of wars across pre-conflict, conflict, and post-conflict phases, with suitable examples.

Source: Businessline And Conflict and environment Observatory