The Role of Multilateral Environmental Agreements: A Reconciliatory Approach to Environmental Protection in Armed Conflict

The environment suffers enormously from armed conflicts and despite the increasing awareness of the pressing need to protect the environment, much environmental damage can occur legally during armed conflict. This book deals with the topic of environmental protection in wartime. It suggests that - apart from the protection offered under law of armed conflict - environmental treaties or multilateral agreements (MEAs) can complement and strengthen environmental protection in times of armed conflict. Previous research has focused on the protection offered under the law of armed conflict (in particular international humanitarian law), and customary international environmental law to deal with wartime environmental damage, or whether environmental treaties remain applicable at times of armed conflict. This is the first in depth scholarly examination of how environmental treaties can apply in wartime and in which manner they can contribute to protect the environment in relation to armed conflict. It also offers an updated study of environmental protection under law of armed conflict, including the latest developments in the International Law Commission on its work on the topic Protection of the Environment in relation to Armed Conflict. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the state of international law and the protection it provided for the environment during armed conflict.