Ukraine Conflict Environmental Briefing: Nature
Publisher: Conflict and Environment Observatory and Zoï Environment Network
Date: 2024
Topics: Data and Technologies, Land, Renewable Resources, Weapons, Waste, and Pollution
Countries: Ukraine
The scale and intensity of the conflict in Ukraine has resulted in widespread and locally severe damage to some of its most ecologically important areas, while many others remain occupied. The conflict is impacting Ukraine’s biodiversity through a range of both direct and indirect means, with threats such as landmines and explosive ordnance creating risks that will last decades. The severity of the damage to landscapes is encouraging consideration of approaches such as rewilding. While this could help Ukraine meet its international obligations for nature protection, societal buy-in will be needed if nature is to be successfully embedded in Ukraine’s recovery.