GUIDELINES ON THE PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN ARMED CONFLICT

The Guidelines on the Protection of the Natural Environment in Armed Conflict set out rules and recommendations relating to the protection of the natural environment under international humanitarian law (IHL). A concise commentary accompanies each rule or recommendation to aid understanding and to clarify its source and applicability. The Guidelines are a reference tool for States, parties to armed conflicts and other actors who may be called upon to interpret and apply IHL. They are intended to facilitate the adoption of concrete measures to reduce the environmental impact of armed conflict, and can be incorporated into military manuals and national policy and legal frameworks. Ultimately, better respect for IHL can limit the impact of armed conflict on the natural environment and the deeply interlinked consequences for conflict-affected populations who depend on it.