Our Clarifying Moment: A Global Call To Action
ADDRESS THE CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE CRISIS
The conflict has created widespread suffering, destruction, and death—however, the environmental impact of the conflict is just now starting to be understood, and it will take years to fully process the true environmental cost. As of January 2024, the conflict has caused $56.4 billion in damage to the environment, as well as contaminated 30% of Ukraine’s territory with landmines and unexploded ordnance. Ukraine is now the most mined country in the world—impacting 174,000 square kilometers—contributing to one of the largest demining challenges since World War II. Demining of the country may take decades and perhaps centuries.
As of February 2024, the Ukrainian agricultural sector has experienced more than $80 billion in direct losses and damages as a result of the war. The first 12 months of the conflict triggered an estimated net increase of 120 million tons of greenhouse gasses, which is likely to increase throughout the war and post-conflict reconstruction. Ukraine is also facing widespread deforestation, damage to renewable energy systems, chemical spillage in rivers and groundwater, and severe harm to farmlands.
The June 2023 collapse of the Kakhovka Dam, located in Russian-occupied territory, created immediate and long-term climate impacts. The dam caused extensive flooding in the region, and not only killed hundreds of people and destroyed thousands of homes, but also damaged farmland, decreased the water supply, endangered over 160,000 animals and 20,000 birds (some only found in the region), and washed over 150 tons of machine oil into the Dnieper River. The Kakhovka Dam collapse exacerbated the already severe humanitarian crisis—affecting over 20,000 people and forcing thousands more to flee to avoid flooding. Additionally, the dam destruction has negatively impacted access to clean drinking water for 700,000 individuals.
To monitor and combat the environmental crisis created by the conflict, the UN Development Program and the Government of Sweden operationalized a Coordinated Center for Environmental Damage Assessment. The Center will monitor, record the impact, and explore remedies to the environmental damage created by the war, with an initial investment of $6.7 million for 2023-2025.
Despite the short- and long-term challenges, reconstruction presents an opportunity to promote “green” efforts to help Ukraine transform into a net-zero economy.
Immediate actions needed:
Other UN member states should invest in the Coordinated Center for Environmental Damage Assessment to help monitor the climate impacts and implement green and sustainable reconstruction and recovery efforts in Ukraine, especially in a conflict-sensitive manner.
Donors must ensure that a portion of their aid packages strengthens Ukraine’s emergency response capacity to support repairs to critical infrastructure, including renewable energy systems, and land remediation measures. Donors should support and fund The Halo Network and other civil society efforts to de-mine land throughout Ukraine.
Governments, donors, and multilateral institutions must integrate climate and conflict considerations in disaster response and reconstruction efforts to ensure all climate/environmental programs are conflict-sensitive and all conflict-prevention and peacebuilding efforts are climate-sensitive. Furthermore, civil society and aid organizations must mitigate environmental impacts and practices that exacerbate climate change.
Continue to fund, support, and create programs like Seeds for Ukraine aimed at helping families whose land and livelihoods are impacted by the conflict.