The use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA) inflicts not only immediate humanitarian devastation but also acute and long-term environmental damage, endangering civilian lives and undermining livelihoods. As governments meet in Costa Rica to review the implementation of the 2022 political declaration on EWIPA, this joint briefing highlights how its operationalisation can reduce environmental risks to civilians, and harm to the environment itself.

The briefing outlines the pathways through which explosive weapons cause environmental harm, illustrates these through recent case studies, and provides recommendations for integrating environmental considerations into national implementation and international cooperation.

The joint briefing has been prepared by Norwegian People’s Aid, PAX, the Conflict and Environment Observatory and Geneva Water Hub.