Conflict and Environment Observatory

Collaboration between mine action operators and environmental experts can help plug gaps in field data in areas affected by conflict. Join us and Norwegian People's Aid / Norsk Folkehjelp on 16th Jan as we present new research on explosive weapons use in southern Ukraine.

Addressing the environment as during humanitarian response has never been more important and so we're delighted to be taking part in Réseau Environnement Humanitaire's next forum in January.

In many ways, COP29 was far from a success. Developing countries were failed and opportunities to support fragile and conflict-affected states were missed. Yet, peace and security had a higher profile than ever before, despite not featuring in the official negotiations. In our latest blog post, Ellie Kinney takes stock of what happened in Baku and looks ahead to COP30. https://lnkd.in/eZBzHjNu

Congratulations to Philipp Barthelme on this coverage of his research using declassified historical spy satellite data to track Agent Orange use in #Laos. Philipp undertook this study during his internship with us.

2024 has been a record breaking year: 💥Highest number of violent conflicts since World War II 💥Military spending rising to an all time high of $2.44 trillion 💥Warmest summer on record, and set to be the first year above 1.5°C At the Conflict and Environment Observatory, this has been our busiest year yet and we don’t expect it to slow down - so we need your help. This year, we’ve seen growing attention on the environmental consequences of conflict, but too little action. This needs to change, and you can help us to make that change. As the need to protect the environment grows increasingly urgent, we need to ensure we have the resources to respond. This work is more important than ever, but we need your support to make it happen. This year, we have:  🌎 Ensured the passage of a UN Environment Assembly resolution that will create international standards for how data on conflict-linked environmental damage should be collected.  🌎 Published an interactive map sharing 25 case studies from our database of conflict-linked environmental incidents in Ukraine 🌎 Helped set global standards to support the mine action sector to clear landmines and other explosive ordnance in a more environmentally sound manner. 🌎 Worked to draw attention to the impact of armed conflicts on biodiversity. 🌎 Published guidance on military climate plans and brought military emissions to COP29 through two side events. 🌎 Brought together networks of experts, including the Conflict and Environment Academic Network, the Military Emissions Gap Network and the Environmental Issues and Mine Action working group … and so much more. Support CEOBS and help us to drive forward change through research and advocacy, to help protect people and ecosystems from armed conflicts and military activities. 🌎 Donate today: www.ceobs.org/donate If you can't donate, don't worry- you can still support us by sharing this post to your network instead.

This time last year we launched the Conflict and Environment Academic Network to help push conflict and the environment up research and thus policy agendas. In this new post Robert Watson takes stock of progress.

Earlier today, Palestine gave evidence to the ICJ's hearing on climate change. The submissions addressed military and conflict emissions, how occupation prevents mitigation and adaptation efforts, and how the legal framework protecting the environment in relation to armed conflicts intersects with the climate crisis. Listening in, it felt like a really significant moment. These topics do not tend to enjoy such potentially consequential platforms. Compliments to Kate Mackintosh and nilufer oral and colleagues for their submissions, to all our friends working in this space whose research contributed to the evidence, and to Palestine for foregrounding these important topics at the Peace Palace. You can view the recording here: https://lnkd.in/eUuG5YHN

25 years since the Mine Ban Treaty entered force, its 5th RevCon is taking place amidst the accelerating crises of #ClimateChange, #biodiversity loss and #pollution. Linsey Cottrell's latest reviews how the #MineAction sector is responding to the triple crisis.

I’m delighted to announce the publication of Mine Action Review’s new report on '#Environmental protection in #MineAction: a review of good policy and practice', available on www.mineactionreview.org. The report on this crucially important topic for the Mine Action sector, serves three main purposes: 1) Guiding policy development: providing guidance to National Mine Action Authorities (NMAAs) and mine action organisations on how to develop environmental management and #climateAction policy within their programmes. 2) Showcasing good practice: offering practical examples of good practice in environmental management and climate action from survey and clearance programmes across the mine action sector. 3) Advocating for greater donor engagement: encouraging donors to ensure that the mine action programmes they generously support serve to mitigate environmental impacts of their activities and respond to the needs of affected communities many of whom are struggling with the consequences of climate change. Many thanks to my colleague Alex Frost, the author of the report, and to all colleagues across the sector who contributed, including APOPO Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas (CCCM) Conflict and Environment Observatory Folkekirkens Nødhjælp (DanChurchAid) FSD (Fondation suisse de déminage) Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) The HALO Trust Humanity & Inclusion Armed Violence Reduction International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC MAG (Mines Advisory Group) Norwegian People's Aid / Norsk Folkehjelp SOAS University of London and donor states to Mine Action and UN agencies, including the excellent case studies.

Today at #COP29: events on conflict and military GHG emissions will present a new methodology for tracking conflict emissions, and hear about emerging practice on military emissions reporting and decarbonisation. Not in #Baku? The recordings will be available later on the UNFCCC's YouTube channel.