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A general overview of the environmental impacts of the war in Ukraine brought by Russia is summarized below. This summary is based mainly on a report entitled, "Ukraine - A Sustainable Economic Recovery for People and Nature", prepared by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), specifically the section entitled, "State of the Environment and Challenges", which discusses the environmental challenges facing Ukraine, both before and after the war. The summary also reflects a review of articles available online,
The war in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on the environment. Air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, damage to forests and biodiversity, and impacts on climate change are just some of the environmental consequences of the conflict. The war has also had a negative impact on Ukraine’s ability to produce food. The principal impacts are summarized below.
Water scarcity: Ukraine is a water-stressed country, with only 1,000 cubic meters of per capita renewable water resources, compared to the global average of 5,000 cubic meters. Climate change and agricultural irrigation are exacerbating the problem.
Soil degradation: Ukraine has one of the highest rates of soil degradation in the world, due to factors such as erosion, salinization, and pollution. This is reducing agricultural productivity and making the country more vulnerable to drought.
River and marine pollution: Ukraine's rivers and seas are polluted by agricultural runoff, industrial wastewater, and municipal sewage. This is harming aquatic life and human health.
Climate change: Ukraine is highly vulnerable to climate change, particularly drought, flooding, and sea level rise. These impacts are already being felt, and are expected to worsen in the future.
The war in Ukraine has exacerbated these challenges in a number of ways:
Damage to infrastructure: The war has damaged or destroyed water treatment plants, sewage systems, and other critical infrastructure. This has exacerbated water pollution and reduced access to clean water.
Air pollution: The war has caused a spike in air pollution levels in Ukraine, due to the burning of military equipment and fuel, as well as the destruction of industrial facilities. This has led to health problems for people living in affected areas, including respiratory infections and heart disease.
Water pollution: The war has also damaged water infrastructure in Ukraine, including water treatment plants and pipelines. This has led to water shortages and contamination in some areas.
Soil pollution: The war has also caused soil pollution from the burning of military equipment and fuel, as well as the spread of hazardous materials from damaged factories and warehouses. This has contaminated agricultural land and could pose a risk to human health.
Disruption of agriculture: The war has disrupted agricultural production, which has exacerbated soil degradation and reduced food security.
Damage to forests and biodiversity: The war has also damaged forests and biodiversity in Ukraine. Military operations have destroyed forests and wildlife habitats, and the use of heavy weapons has contaminated soil and water with toxic chemicals.
Impacts on climate change: The war in Ukraine is also having a negative impact on climate change. The burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests are releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which is contributing to global warming.
Displacement of people: The war has displaced millions of people, putting additional strain on water resources and other environmental services.
The report also identifies several opportunities to rebuild Ukraine more sustainably:
Invest in renewable energy: Ukraine has significant potential for renewable energy, such as solar and wind power. Investing in renewable energy can help to reduce Ukraine's reliance on fossil fuels and improve air quality.
Improve energy efficiency: Ukraine can improve energy efficiency in its buildings, industry, and transportation sectors. This will reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduce pollution: Ukraine can reduce pollution from agriculture, industry, and municipal sources. This will improve water quality, air quality, and human health.
Protect and restore ecosystems: Ukraine can protect and restore its forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems. This will help to improve water quality, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
Promote sustainable agriculture and forestry: Ukraine can promote sustainable agriculture and forestry practices. This will help to protect soil and water resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve food security.
Olesia Shapovalova, of the Ukraine Ministry of Environmental Protection, stated “Before this time no other country has calculated the impact of war on the environment. Ukraine is the first country to develop methodologies for determining specific war impacts relating to air, water, and soil pollution, as well as impacts on wildlife and national parks, etc. It is a long process.”
It is important to note that the war in Ukraine is still ongoing, and it is difficult to say what the full extent of the environmental damage will be. However, it is clear that the war is having a significant negative impact on the environment, and that action needs to be taken to mitigate these impacts.
Cumulative, Synergistic, and Cascading Impacts. An equally sobering concern is that there are doubtless very significant cumulative and synergistic impacts of the war – which are difficult to impossible to predict or quantify – such that perturbations in one environmental media or one economic sector can, and do, lead to cascading crises and catastrophes. For example, the bombing of the Khakova Dam and its consequent impacts of flooding, water pollution, human health and safety, etc. (New York Times, 2022). More generally, water infrastructure – pumping stations, purification plants, and sewage facilities – has also suffered significant damage, and multiple industrial facilities, warehouses, and factories have been damaged, some storing hazardous substances ranging from solvents to ammonia and plastics (UNEP, 2018).
Tracking Environmental Impacts of the War. According to the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Ruslan Strelets, “Every day, inspectors of the State Environmental Inspection of Ukraine record the destruction of the environment from hostilities. The numbers are terrifying. Today we already have about €51 billion or 2 trillion hryvnias in environmental damage. This means that every day of war costs Russia at least €102 million or 4 billion hryvnias in environmental damages losses. Everything has its price." In addition to Russian reparations, the WWF-BCG report concludes that a robust economic recovery in Ukraine is key to addressing the environmental damage done by the war.
Two areas of environmental damage that have been explored in more depth in the literature are climate change and soil degradation and pollution, discussed below.
CLIMATE CHANGE
CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate Change Increases Vulnerability. Ukraine has already been facing significant exposure to hydrometeorological hazards and natural disasters, posing a substantial threat to agriculture and human well-being. Seasonal flooding and droughts are prevalent, with heightened risks from riverine and urban floods, as well as wildfires. The impact of climate change amplifies these vulnerabilities, contributing to increased occurrences of droughts, high temperatures, heatwaves, heavy precipitation, mudflows, and floods. Notably, heavy rainstorms are linked to common natural disasters, triggering mudslides and widespread flooding that adversely affect agricultural areas, residences, and industrial structures. Anticipated climate change effects, such as intensified temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, prolonged heat waves, and water scarcity, further escalate the likelihood and severity of natural disasters in Ukraine. Recent trends reveal a rise in the frequency of catastrophic events, resulting in loss of life and substantial economic damage in the region. (Source: World Bank, CCKP)
War Impacts on Climate Change. The following enumeration of how the war has exacerbated the impacts of climate change and increased the vulnerability of the human and natural environment of Ukraine to those impact is taken from “Climate Damage Caused by Russia’s War in Ukraine, 24 February 2022 – 23 February 2023, by Initiative on GHG accounting of war, 1 June 2023:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The war in Ukraine has caused the release of significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, totaling 120 million tCO2e over the first 12 months of the conflict.
Emissions from warfare have increased steadily as the war has progressed, due to increased fuel consumption, ammunition production, and construction of fortifications.
Fires have also contributed to emissions, with the number of fires larger than one hectare increasing 36-fold compared to the pre-war period.
The war has also had a significant impact on the European energy market, leading to both increases and decreases in carbon emissions.
The long-term impact of the war on emissions is uncertain, but it is likely that the conflict will accelerate the transition to renewable energy in Europe and Ukraine.
Economic and Social Impacts
The war has caused the Ukrainian economy to contract by almost 30%, resulting in a corresponding reduction in emissions. However, most of this reduction has been offset by increased emissions elsewhere, due to the displacement of refugees and the production of goods that were previously produced in Ukraine.
The war has also led to a significant deterioration of the security situation in Europe, which is likely to lead to increased military spending and higher emissions in the years ahead.
Overall, the environmental impacts of the war in Ukraine are significant and far-reaching. The conflict is likely to have a lasting impact on the global climate, and it is important to take steps to mitigate these impacts.
SOIL POLLUTION
SOIL POLLUTION
This section is paraphrased from, “Impact of Russia's War against Ukraine on the State of Ukrainian Soils”, by the Land Matrix Initiative:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1no1zfx-yRHhglS4A7bZhDqf6TRlAq-M2/view?usp=sharing
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of the war on Ukrainian soils. The document discusses the following key areas:
Military activities: The war has caused widespread damage to agricultural land through shelling, bombing, and the use of landmines. This damage has destroyed crops, contaminated soil with explosives and other hazardous materials, and made it difficult for farmers to access their land.
Displacement: The war has displaced millions of people, including many farmers. This displacement has disrupted agricultural production and made it difficult for farmers to maintain their land.
Economic sanctions: Economic sanctions imposed on Russia have also had a negative impact on Ukrainian agriculture. These sanctions have made it more difficult for Ukrainian farmers to import and export goods, and have increased the cost of inputs such as fertilizer and fuel.
The war has caused over $10 billion in damage to Ukrainian agriculture. This damage is likely to have a significant impact on food security in Ukraine and the wider region.
The specific impacts of the war on Ukrainian soils include:
Increased erosion: The war has disrupted agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and cover cropping, which can help to prevent soil erosion. This has led to increased soil erosion, which can damage soil structure and reduce crop yields.
Soil contamination: The war has caused soil contamination with explosives, oil products, and other hazardous materials. This contamination can make the soil unsafe for agriculture and can also pose a risk to human health.
Loss of biodiversity: The war has destroyed habitats and disrupted ecosystems, which has led to a loss of biodiversity. This loss of biodiversity can reduce the resilience of soil ecosystems and make them more vulnerable to damage.
The war has caused widespread damage to agricultural land, contaminated soil with hazardous materials, and disrupted agricultural production. These impacts are likely to have a significant negative impact on food security in Ukraine and the wider region. The challenges of restoring Ukrainian soils after the war include the need to remove landmines and other hazardous materials, to rehabilitate damaged soil structures, and restore biodiversity. A number of actions can be taken to address these challenges, such as providing financial support to farmers, investing in research and development, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
References
Stories and reports detailing in general with the environmental impacts of the war in Ukraine:
The toxic legacy of the Ukraine war - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-warns-toxic-environmental-legacy-ukraine-region
Environmental scars of Russia's war in Ukraine - Politico: https://www.oecd.org/ukraine-hub/policy-responses/environmental-impacts-of-the-war-in-ukraine-and-prospects-for-a-green-reconstruction-9e86d691/
Ukraine and the others: the environmental impacts of war - European Youth Portal: https://youth.europa.eu/
How Nature Becomes a Casualty of War - The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/13/science/war-environmental-impact-ukraine.html
Environmental impacts of the war in Ukraine and prospects for a green reconstruction - OECD: https://www.oecd.org/economy/Interim-economic-outlook-report-march-2022.pdf
Stories about specific environmental impacts of the war:
The war in Ukraine has caused a spike in air pollution - The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/27/impact-of-air-pollution-on-health-may-be-far-worse-than-thought-study-suggests
Ukraine's forests are burning at an alarming rate - BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/ce2gz9mdde3t
Russian attacks on water infrastructure have left millions without access to clean water - Al Jazeera: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/476942/russia-destroys-power-water-infrastructure-across-ukraine
The war in Ukraine is threatening Ukraine's rich biodiversity - National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/ukraine-war
Technical reports providing in-depth analyses of the environmental impacts of the war and recommendations for reconstruction:
Provided through personal communications with the specialists identified below.
From Olesia Shapovalova, Ukraine Ministry of Environmental Protection
Environmental consequences of the war (Official resource of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine); this website provides a map of environmental damage and a citizen reporting mechanism:
From Kateryna Bystrytska, Rutgers Fulbright Scholar[TS1]
1. EcoAction is one of the most prominent environmental NGOs in Ukraine, and they produce a lot of different research on the topicHere are the most significant:
Climate Damage Caused by Russia’s War in Ukraine: https://en.ecoaction.org.ua/climate-damage-by-russia-12-months.html#:~:text=This%20second%20interim%20assessment%20concludes,to%20120%20million%20tCO2%20e.
The impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the state of the country’s soil: Analysis results:
https://en.ecoaction.org.ua/impact-of-russias-war-on-soil.html
And one of the latest articles on reconstruction:
https://en.ecoaction.org.ua/post-war-reconstruction-of-ukraine.html
If you need to contact them, Olga Polunina is the head of the organization: pol@ecoaction.org.ua
2. Great work of UNCG on Kachovka damage and its consequences: https://uncg.org.ua/en/the-consequences-of-the-russian-terrorist-attack-on-the-kakhovka-hydroelectric-power-station-hps-for-wildlife/
In case of contact - Tatiana Shamina, press-officer, +380939184286 (but WhatsApp or Signal should work, if the email will be needed, I'll try to find it).
3. I found the WWF report on reconstruction - more on advice/perspectives than analysis: https://wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/ukraine___a_sustainable_economic_recovery_for_people_and_nature___wwf_bcg___sept_2022_light.pdf
Also, I would have a look at the RICE website (and they have a newsletter on reconstruction news). This is the coalition of NGOs who work on reconstruction issues (not only environmental): https://www.rise.org.ua/
And this is the map Greenpeace created:
https://maps.greenpeace.org/maps/gpcee/ukraine_damage_2022/
About Greenpeace work in Chornobyl:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1afeaa6ad822495fb94787f158fe815d/ and a few docs that can be helpful in the attachment.
Ukraine Recovery Cookbook:
https://dixigroup.org/en/analytic/ukraine-recovery-cookbook-2023/
How to Rebuild a “Green” Country: Recommendations for Ukraine’s Recovery:
From Oleksandra Pantiukhina, PhD
Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group published an article about their efforts in the international recognition of the Russian ecocide against Ukraine:
https://uwecworkgroup.info/on-the-path-to-international-recognition-of-ecocide/
The UWEC work group has also compiled a publicly available list of environment-related war-time data collections:
https://uwecworkgroup.info/resources/
"I think we need to connect the dots: the danger, the threat of war, human suffering and ecocide are all connected... We need to hold Russia accountable for its crimes, and the people who have suffered damage should be able to recover, just as Ukraine should be able to recover in a sustainable way," - Greta Thunberg said during the 1st meeting of the International Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of War:
[TS1]HOW DO WE FORMAT THIS - REMOVE THE “FROM…” OR LEAVE IT AS IS?
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