In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

1. Pekka Haavisto, UNEP Early warning and post-conflict perspectives in peacebuilding Oslo 8 December 2004 Pekka Haavisto UNEP Post-Conflict Assessment UnitThe role of environment in Conflict and Peacebuilding -seminarOslo 8 December 2004 In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

2. What are the environmental impacts of war? Bomb Damage Landmines and UXOs Sabotage of resources Depleted uranium Military waste disposal Troop movements Bomb damage Landmines and UXOs Sabotage of resources Military waste disposal Troop movements Polluting weapons What are the environmental impacts of war? Direct Impacts: In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration. Background

3. What are the environmental impacts of war? Indirect Impacts Refugees Sanctions Collapse of management Military exploitation Opportunity costs Use of marginal lands Refugees Sanctions Collapse of management Corruption & criminality Land degradation Military exploitation What are the environmental impacts of war? Indirect Impacts: In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration. Background

4. First post-conflict assessments by UNEP were conducted after the 1991 Gulf War After the Kosovo Conflict in 1999, the UNEP Balkans Task Force investigated the environmental and human health risks UNEP Post-Conflict Assessment Unit established in 2001 to continue the previous activities Located at the International Environment House in Geneva with a core staff of 25 International staff in Kabul, Amman, Monrovia UNEP Post-Conflict Assessment Unit In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration. Background

5. PCAU Activities Post-conflict environmental assessments 2. Post-conflict environmental desk studies 3. UNDG – UNEP lead agency for Environment PCAU activities 1. Post-conflict environmental assessments 2. Post-conflict environmental desk studies 3. UNEP lead agency for Environment in UNDG In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration. Background

6. 4. Post-conflict environmental clean-up and rehabilitation 5. Environmental capacity building and technical support PCAU activities 4. Post-conflict environmental clean-up and rehabilitation 5. Environmental capacity building and technical support In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration. Background

7. Conflict Characteristics: Long-duration Multiple conflicts Broad geographic range High technology used Many industrial targets UNEP Desk Study: Initiated and funded by SDC UNEP identified as environmental focal point for UNDG needs assessment Desk study designed to supplement needs assessment 6 roundtable meetings 2 field missions to Baghdad Iraq Conflict characteristics: • Long-duration • Multiple conflicts • Broad geographic range • High technology used • Many industrial targets UNEP Desk Study: • Initiated and funded by SDC • UNEP identified as environmental focal point for UNDG needs assessment • Desk study designed to supplement needs assessment • 6 roundtable meetings • 2 field missions to Baghdad 1991 1991 1991 Post-Conflict Desk Study In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

8. Key issues identified: Breakdown of municipal waste services Contamination from military weapons production sites Use of Depleted Uranium Damage to energy production and distribution Drainage of marshlands 18 million people food insecure 74% of irrigated land suffers from salinity Iraq Key issues identified: • Breakdown of municipal waste services • Contamination from military weapons production sites • Use of Depleted Uranium • Damage to energy production and distribution • Drainage of marshlands • 18 million people food insecure • 74% of irrigated land suffers from salinity 1991 1991 1991 Post-Conflict Desk Study In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

9. UN Trust Fund for Iraq approved US$ 4.7 Million for UNEP to deliver environmental assessment training and capacity building for Iraqi experts from the Ministry of Environment. Proposal for DU assessment currently under development. UNEP training sessions have already taken place for Iraqi experts on Environmental Emergencies, Environmental Laboratories, Environmental Impact Assessment and Contaminated Sites. Over 90 Iraqi experts have received training. Iraq • UN Trust Fund for Iraq approved US$ 4.7 Million for UNEP to deliver environmental assessment training and capacity building for Iraqi experts from the Ministry of Environment • Proposal for DU assessment currently under development • UNEP training sessions have already taken place for Iraqi experts on Environmental Emergencies, Environmental Laboratories, Environmental Impact Assessment and Contaminated Sites • Over 90 Iraqi experts have received training Capacity Building In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

10. Iraq Iranian and Iraqi delegations in Geneva May 18, 2004 Conficence Building In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration. Iranian and Iraqi delegations in Geneva May 18, 2004

11. Conflict Characteristics: Long-term and ongoing conflict West-Bank and Gaza geographically separated Urban environment Mandate from UNEP Governing Council 2002 Mission to OPT in October 2002 Contacts both to the Palestinian Authority and to the Government of Israel Desk Study published in January 2003 Approved by Nairobi GC in February 2003 Occupied Palestinian Territories Conflict characteristics: • Long-term and ongoing conflict • West-Bank and Gaza geographically separated • Urban environment • Mandate from UNEP Governing Council 2002 • Mission to OPT in October 2002 • Contacts both to the Palestinian Authority and to the Government of Israel • Desk Study published in January 2003 • Approved by Nairobi GC in February 2003 1991 1991 1991 Post-Conflict Desk Study In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

12. 136 recommendations on Transboundary and international cooperation Palestinian National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) Assisting the Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority Land-use planning Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Private sector Freshwater management Wastewater management Solid waste Hazardous waste Conservation and biodiversity Occupied Palestinian Territories 136 recommendations on • Transboundary and international cooperation • Palestinian National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) • Assisting the Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority • Land-use planning • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) • Private sector • Freshwater management • Wastewater management • Solid waste • Hazardous waste • Conservation and biodiversity 1991 1991 1991 Post-Conflict Desk Study In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

13. UNEP organized capacity building training workshops on: Communications and the environment Environmental standards on wastewater and air pollution Environmental laboratory analysis Environmental impact assessment (2 workshops) Additional capacity building meetings and workshops are planned In addition UNEP : Hosted a technical meeting between Palestinian and Israeli environmental authorities in Geneva in July 2003 Facilitated participation of the Palestinian EQA staff in relevant meetings and processes of MEAs Occupied Palestinian Territories UNEP organized capacity building training workshops on: • Communications and the environment • Environmental standards on wastewater and air pollution • Environmental laboratory analysis • Environmental impact assessment • Additional capacity building meetings and workshops are planned 1991 1991 In addition UNEP : • Hosted a technical meeting between Palestinian and Israeli environmental authorities in Geneva in July 2003 • Facilitated participation of the Palestinian EQA staff in relevant meetings and processes of MEAs Capacity Building In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

14. AFGHANISTAN Conflict Characteristics: Long-duration Multiple conflicts Broad geographic range Mixed technology used Few industrial targets PCAU Assessment: Co-funded by SDC with Canada, Finland and Luxembourg and supported by Spiez laboratory Five main themes (urban environment, waters, forests, biodiversity and institutions) Six field teams. 20 Afghans and internationals, 1 month mission Afghanistan Conflict characteristics: • Long-duration • Multiple conflicts • Broad geographic range • Mixed technology used • Few industrial targets PCAU assessment: • Co-funded by SDC with Canada, Finland and Luxembourg and supported by Spiez laboratory • Five main themes (urban environment, waters, forests, biodiversity and institutions) • Six field teams. 20 Afghans and internationals, 1 month mission 1991 1991 1991 Post-Conflict Assessment In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

15. Main Findings: Environmental damages are largely indirect caused by a combination of over-use, mismanagement and the need to survive. Wide-spread degradation in all areas threatens human health and livelihoods, and is causing food and water insecurity. Environmental management and planning needed for refugee resettlement and to promote environmental security. 95% woodlands deforestation in selected provinces 30-80% soil erosion Complete collapse of national and local forms of government 23% access to clean water in Kabul Lack of solid waste management contaminating water supplies Unregulated and unmonitored groundwater extraction Potential for conflict over transboundary water resources Widespreadover grazing Afghanistan Main findings: • Environmental damages are largely indirect caused by a combination of over-use, mismanagement and the need to survive • Wide-spread degradation in all areas threatens human health and livelihoods, and is causing food and water insecurity • Environmental management and planning needed for refugee resettlement and to promote environmental security 95% woodlands deforestation in selected provinces 30-80% soil erosion Complete collapse of national and local forms of government Widespreadover grazing 23% access to clean water in Kabul Potential for conflict over transboundary water resources Lack of solid waste management contaminating water supplies Unregulated and unmonitored groundwater extraction In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

16. LIBERIA Conflict Characteristics: Long-duration Multiple conflicts Broad geographic range Low technology used Few industrial targets Environmental fueled conflict UNEP Desk Study: UNEP identified as environmental focal point for UNDG needs assessment Desk study designed to supplement needs assessment 4 week assessment period 2 field missions to Monrovia Liberia Conflict characteristics: • Long-duration • Multiple conflicts • Broad geographic range • Low technology used • Few industrial targets • Environmental fueled conflict 1991 1991 UNEP Desk Study: • UNEP identified as environmental focal point for UNDG needs assessment • Desk study designed to supplement needs assessment • 4 week assessment period • 2 field missions to Monrovia Post-Conflict Des Study In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

17. Key issues identified: Preconditions for lifting timber and diamond sanctions 500 000 IDPs Looting of basic equipment Breakdown of municipal waste services Damage to energy production and distribution Over-hunting pressure from bushmeat production Threats to forest areas from shifting cultivation and roads Liberia Key issues identified: • Preconditions for lifting timber and diamond sanctions • 500 000 IDPs • Looting of basic equipment • Breakdown of municipal waste services • Damage to energy production and distribution • Over-hunting pressure from bushmeat production • Threats to forest areas from shifting cultivation and roads 1991 1991 1991 Post-Conflict Des Study In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

18. UNEP organised and co-hosted, along with UNMIL and the UNDP, a two day Seminar on the Environment in Monrovia on 12-13 July 2004 with over 100 participants UNEP facilitated the adoption of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and Establishment of a Task Force on the Environment, modelled on the Advisory Group on the Environment that UNEP created in Afghanistan Phase 2 of UNEP’s Post-Conflict work in Liberia involves participating to the reconstruction planning by providing assistance to the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency and the Task Force on the Environment. Liberia • UNEP organised and co-hosted, along with UNMIL and the UNDP, a two day Seminar on the Environment in Monrovia on 12-13 July 2004 with over 100 participants • UNEP facilitated the adoption of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and • Establishment of a Task Force on the Environment, modelled on the Advisory Group on the Environment that UNEP created in Afghanistan 1991 1991 • Phase 2 of UNEP’s Post-Conflict work in Liberia involves participating to the reconstruction planning by providing assistance to the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency and the Task Force on the Environment. Follow-up activities In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

19. DEPLETED URANIUM IN THE BALKANS UNEP has conducted three main reports on the issue of Depleted Uranium in the Balkans Main findings are that DU contamination is present, but not at significant levels that would threaten human health However, UNEP recommends a precautionary approach be taken Depleted uranium (DU) Post-Conflict Assessment • UNEP has investigated DU in Kosovo, in Serbia-Montenegro, in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in Kuwait • Co-operation with IAEA and WHO • Main future riks pollution of groundwaters • Precautionary and clean-up recommended In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration.

20. Ignoring environmental problems puts stress on human relations and may increace the probability of conflict Misuse of shared natural resources and transboundary pollution can cause international or regional instability Integrating conflict prevention to UNEP activities In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration. Peacebuilding

21. UNEP helped to convene the negotiations that resulted in the 1977 Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques (ENMOD) Integrating conflict prevention to UNEP activities Peacebuilding

22. In 2003 UNEP, UNDP and OSCE launched the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) The initiative seeks to promote peace and environment simultaneously and mainstream environment to government policies Regional and sub-regional focus Latest publication from October 2004 presents the security and environment linkages in the Southern Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) Integrating conflict prevention to UNEP activities In the ashes of conflict lie the seeds of regeneration. ENVSEC

23. UNEP’s Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) is developing an “Environment and Conflict Prevention” initiative to coordinate international efforts to promote conflict prevention, peace, and cooperation through activities, policies, and actions related to environmental protection, restoration, and resources ”Understanding Environment, Conflict, and Cooperation”, published in 2004 emerged from a collaboration between DEWA and the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Project (ECSP) Integrating conflict prevention to UNEP activities Environment and Conflict Prevention http://www.unep.org/PDF/ECC.pdf

24. Thank you for your attention http://postconflict.unep.ch