UN Peacekeepers: Protecting the Environment on Conflict Frontlines

Environmental Management in Conflict Zones

• 🌍 Environmental issues are sometimes at the core of conflicts, necessitating consideration even during active peacekeeping operations.
• 💡 UN peacekeeping operations are significant users of environmental facilities, prompting a serious review of operational management over the last 7-10 years.
• 🎯 The goal is to manage risks while demonstrating good environmental performance in host communities.

Reducing Operational Footprint

• ⚡ Peacekeeping operations require managing water purification, wastewater, solid waste, and energy, all of which have an environmental impact.
• ☀️ A key strategy is to decrease the environmental footprint by adopting renewable energy sources, with Member States agreeing to reimburse troop-contributing countries for renewable energy at similar levels to diesel generators.
• ⛽ When diesel generators are used, there's an agreement to utilize newer, more efficient varieties to consume less fuel.
• 🔌 In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN is purchasing power from the grid and encouraging companies to establish energy infrastructure for both the peacekeeping operation and the local community.

Waste and Wastewater Treatment Improvements

• 📈 Since the strategy began in 2015, the percentage of waste treated by preferred disposal methods has more than doubled from approximately 19%.
• ⚠️ Risks associated with wastewater from facilities have been significantly reduced, with no single site now operating at high risk.

Infrastructure Development and Legacy Projects

• 🏗️ Many missions are strengthening the infrastructure of host countries, such as investing in local landfill sites (e.g., in Bangui) that benefit both the mission and the local population.
• 🏡 Simple projects, like using local materials to build durable accommodation instead of temporary prefabs, are encouraged.
• ✨ The aim is to leave behind a beneficial legacy for local communities, extending beyond temporary Quick Impact Projects to projects that are permanently useful, like schools or hospitals.

Trusteeship and Environmental Stewardship

• 🤝 The concept of the world as a trusteeship for future generations is presented as a guiding principle for environmental management.
• 🔑 Believing in trusteeship fosters a commitment to better and more focused environmental management practices.