War vs environment: Protecting dams and nuclear power plants

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine has created a plethora of crucial challenges related to the protection of the environment and has had a direct effect on climate change. One such problem is the issue of protection of installations containing dangerous forces, such as dams and nuclear power plants. This event discusses the global impacts of armed conflicts on the environment and climate through the prism of lessons from the Russian war against Ukraine.

The destruction of the Kakhovka dam has led to widespread, long-term and severe damage to the environment, the true scale and consequences of which we are only beginning to assess. During the Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Rosatom has aided and abetted the occupying forces in committing war crimes and crimes against humanity directed at the nuclear power plant’s personnel, thereby undermining the nuclear security of the station in violation of international nuclear treaties, as well as business and human rights obligations.

Experience from Ukraine raises questions of global importance – how well is critical nuclear and hydroelectric infrastructure actually protected in times of armed conflicts, and what can be done to minimise the risks of catastrophes?

The event aims to:

• highlight the global challenges arising from insufficient protection of nuclear and hydroelectric power plants from the effects of armed conflicts.
• discuss potential solutions aimed at the prevention of destruction or abuse of installations containing dangerous forces.
• develop practical tools for ensuring accountability of persons, organisations, and businesses responsible for threatening or damaging the environment.

Organizers: Truth Hounds, Ecoaction, Greenpeace, Project Expedite Justice, and Ukrainian Climate Network

Moderator: Diana Popfaluschi,Ukrainian Climate Network

• Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov, Minister of Environment of Moldova
• Martin Kaiser, Head of International Climate Politics, Greenpeace (TBC)
• Artem Kolesnyk, Energy Policy Specialist, Center for Environmental Initiatives “Ecoaction”
• Dmytro Koval, Legal Director, Truth Hounds; Consultant, Project Expedite Justice
• Nick Yurlov, Senior Legal Counsel, Truth Hounds

Watch the recording of the event: