June 5th Marks World Environment Day

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th. On this day in 1972, the United Nations Conference on the Environment opened in Stockholm, which led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 

The United Nations General Assembly established World Environment Day on December 15th, 1972, at its 27th session (Resolution No. A/RES/2994 (XXVII)). At that time, a new organisation was established in the UN system – the United Nations Environment Programme, under the auspices of which this day has been celebrated ever since. 

The ongoing war in Ukraine is the largest international armed conflict in recent decades, resulting in significant and irreparable environmental damage. The damage to the international ecosystem caused by the constant shelling of critical infrastructure, landmines, especially the undermining of the Kakhovka HPP dam, and the ongoing hostilities in protected areas is not only harmful to Ukraine but also has an impact on the ecosystems of neighbouring countries and the entire continent.  

Contemporary international law safeguards the natural environment. In the context of armed conflict, the relevant regulations of international humanitarian law ensure the protection of the environment by prohibiting military actions that cause widespread, long-term, and serious damage to the environment and restricting the means and methods of warfare. International law provides for the responsibility of both states and individuals for damage caused to the natural environment during armed conflict. 

World Environment Day is an additional opportunity to draw the world’s attention to the problems and consequences of the war in Ukraine.