UN General Assembly First Committee statement on the Protection of the environment in relation to armed conflicts
16 NGOs urge states at the UN General Assembly to mainstream the environment in the work of its First Committee, and beyond.
Report: The past, present and future of the Mesopotamian marshes
This report presents new visualisation-led perspectives on the Mesopotamian marshes, exploring the scale of the Marsh Arabs’ cultural erasure, the contemporary threats from pollution, fire, saltwater intrusion and the oil industry, and how their ecosystem services could mitigate a heating climate.
Report: Protected area conservation in Yemen’s conflict
Our report examines the impact that the conflict in Yemen is having on its protected areas by exploring the fate of five of them, we identify multiple pressures that are being caused or worsened by the conflict.
Governments: commit to meaningful military emissions cuts at COP26
There are signs that some countries may pledge to reduce military greenhouse gas emissions at COP26 in November. This call sets out the scope of what these pledges should include and is open for signature by organisations before and during the COP.
Report: Joint civil society submission to the International Law Commission’s PERAC study
A joint submission by Al Haq, Amnesty, CEOBS, Geneva Water Hub and Harvard University identifying opportunities to strengthen the ILC’s draft principles on the protection of the environment in relation to armed conflicts before they are finalised in 2022.
Report: Groundwater depletion clouds Yemen’s solar energy revolution
A CEOBS investigation using remote sensing and open source data suggests that the expansion of solar powered agricultural groundwater abstraction in Yemen may be unsustainable, and already responsible for steep declines since 2018.
Report: Deforestation in conflict areas in 2020
Deforestation is a common problem for countries affected by conflict. In 2020, COVID-19 placed further constraints on forest management in these areas. This report reviews the latest satellite data on forest loss in seven countries, analysing the forces driving deforestation.
Comments on the draft political declaration on explosive weapons in populated areas
Comments submitted to the government of Ireland’s March 2021 negotiations on a political declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, which identifies opportunities for addressing their environmental impact.