This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.
Armed conflicts, wars and military aggression are a source
of significant environmental harm not only in the area where they
are concentrated. Adverse environmental impact is almost always
felt far beyond the conflict-affected area and even beyond the territory
of the State or States concerned.
Armed conflicts contribute to the global climate change crisis.
Wars also cause significant depletion of natural resources, which
in turn leads to humanitarian catastrophes and food crises. Such
circumstances significantly contribute to the rise of the number
of refugees in the world.
The existing international legal framework contains many provisions
that either directly or indirectly protect the environment and govern
the use of natural resources during armed conflict. In practice,
however, these provisions have not always been effectively implemented
or enforced. International rules governing responsibility for transboundary
environmental damage are vague and do not provide necessary redress.
With wars and conflicts in at least seven countries in the
European region, the Parliamentary Assembly should address the issue
of transboundary environmental damage resulting from armed conflicts
and draft a report on the issue.
