Ukraine: Reframing the Narrative of Climate, Environmental Degradation and Conflict

In the past 24 months, the ongoing war in Ukraine has led to an estimated increase of 175 million tonnes of greenhouse gases and environmental damage exceeding USD 57 billion, equivalent to the combined emissions of five Fragile and Conflict-Affected States: Haiti, Syria, Burkina Faso, Yemen and Somalia.

The conflict has exacerbated food and water insecurity, heightened health and protection risks, caused massive displacement and undermined climate action. Climate variability and extreme weather events, coupled with war-related environmental degradation, have intensified these challenges and the needs of the population.

The key impacts identified include:

• Food Insecurity: The conflict has worsened land and environmental degradation, reducing agricultural productivity and raising food prices, exacerbating food insecurity both locally and globally.
• Water Insecurity and Health Risks: Damage to infrastructure and pollution, combined with climate-related changes and extreme weather events, are worsening water quality and availability, increasing health risks.
• Protection Needs: The widespread presence of landmines and repeated shelling, along with climate-induced extreme weather events, heighten protection needs, especially for women and children.
• Displacement: Over 6.7 million people have been displaced due to the full-scale war. Climate-related events such as floods and wildfires further increase displacement and related needs.
• Climate Action: The war has disrupted climate mitigation and adaptation efforts and will impact Ukraine's resilience and future recovery.

Prioritising operational responses and policies that integrate climate action and environmental protection is crucial to breaking the cycle of vulnerability. Addressing these impacts can pave the way for sustainable recovery and resilience in Ukraine. The report emphasises the need to:

• Enhance data generation and preparedness on environmental and climate risks to avert new security risks and provide opportunities for anticipatory action.
• Balance immediate humanitarian relief interventions with long-term recovery strategies that are climate-sensitive to foster communities’ resilience to climate and environmental shocks.
• Foster partnerships with environmental and development actors, involving civil society to advance post-war green reconstruction through the sharing of experiences, data and methodologies.

This report was supported by Weathering Risk and was commissioned by the International Rescue Committee (IRC).