UN Peacekeeping Faces Environmental Challenges While Advancing Sustainable Operations

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UN Peacekeeping Faces Environmental Challenges While Advancing Sustainable Operations

UN Peacekeeping Faces Environmental Challenges While Advancing Sustainable Operations

Ganesh Khatiwada 2026-04-09 09:16:00

Kathmandu - The large-scale deployment of personnel under United Nations Peacekeeping missions continues to pose significant environmental challenges, particularly in fragile and infrastructure-deficient regions across the globe. As thousands of civilian, police, and military staff are mobilized to conflict-affected areas, the logistical demands of such operations are placing increasing pressure on local ecosystems.
Peacekeeping missions often operate in remote and inaccessible locations where basic infrastructure is either limited or entirely absent. As a result, missions must generate their own electricity and rely heavily on fleets of vehicles and aircraft. These activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and increase the risk of soil contamination, raising environmental concerns in already vulnerable regions.
In addition to emissions, large missions produce substantial volumes of solid waste-both hazardous and non-hazardous-while also consuming significant amounts of potable and non-potable water. Improper management of wastewater and solid waste can lead to environmental degradation, affecting both natural ecosystems and local communities.
The situation is particularly sensitive in water-scarce regions such as northern Mali, where local populations may perceive UN missions as competitors for limited natural resources. This underscores the importance of balancing operational needs with environmental responsibility.
Recognizing these risks, the United Nations Department of Operational Support (DOS) has introduced a comprehensive environmental management strategy aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of peacekeeping missions. The six-year strategy, which set targets through June 2023, focuses on ensuring efficient use of natural resources while minimizing risks to ecosystems and communities.
Under this framework, peacekeeping missions are now equipped with tailored methodologies for assessing wastewater and solid waste risks. These tools enable on-site evaluations and prompt corrective measures. Environmental performance is systematically reported twice a year through the eApp (Environment Action Planning Performance), a digital platform designed to enhance accountability and monitoring.
Several missions have already demonstrated progress. In South Lebanon, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) hosted training sessions on high-capacity wastewater treatment systems, encouraging knowledge sharing among multiple missions. Meanwhile, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) pioneered the use of the Environment Risk Assessment application, enabling real-time identification and management of wastewater risks through geospatial data.
Further advancements have been seen in Somalia, where United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) has implemented an extensive waste management plan. The mission emphasizes waste reduction at source and maximizes recycling efforts, with most non-recyclable waste now safely incinerated within mission facilities. UNSOS, along with United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), has also led the adoption of centralized waste management yards.
These initiatives highlight a growing commitment within UN peacekeeping operations to integrate environmental sustainability into mission planning and execution. While challenges remain, the ongoing efforts signal a shift towards more responsible and environmentally conscious peacekeeping practices worldwide.
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