Abstract
In recent decades, ecology, environmental protection, and sustainable economy have been gaining more and more publicity. The emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere have increased catastrophically over the past 50 years, mainly due to anthropogenic factors. Among the main sources of emissions were the burning of coal, oil, gas and wood for energy, industry, transport, and other activities that are accompanied by CO2 emissions. War, too, has played a significant role. Colossal water and air pollution, destruction of natural habitats (forests, natural areas, nature reserves) as a result of bombings, artillery strikes, land mining, and other types of military activity, impact human health and well-being, displacement of populations and incredible pollution. The entire civilized world is struggling with the listed factors, but it is important to understand that in the territories where military conflicts are taking place, the consequences for the ecology are even more dire. In the 21st century, we have already experienced more than 20 military conflicts, the largest of which were: War in Iraq (2003-2011), War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), Russo-Georgian War (2008), War in Mali (2012), Armed conflict in Yemen (2014-2015), Russia's intervention in Syria (since 2015), Russian-Ukrainian war (since 2014). Is there a clear mechanism for ecological recovery after the war? Having researched this topic, I am unfortunately forced to state that it is not. Practice shows that countries first develop economic recovery plans. There has been some focus on ecological restoration, too, but they are outdated, for example those of the post- World War II era in Japan, West Germany, Austria, and Israel.
Conflict area ecological disaster case study: Ukrainian Donbas region
It is possible to restore the ecological balance in territories destroyed as a result of hostilities. Let's look at the example of the Donbas region in the east of Ukraine, where the war has been going on since 2014. According to the latest available official data, the population of Donbas before the occupation shows that on January 1, 2014, about 6.5 million people lived in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which was about 14.5% of the population. At the end of 2013, production in these regions provided about 15% of Ukraine's GDP, which was almost 30 billion US dollars. The Donbas region has always been characterized by a powerful industrial sector. Coal mining, steel production, agriculture, mechanical engineering, and ferrous metallurgy have been significant. There were more than 1,200 enterprises in the Donetsk region alone.
According to World Bank estimates, the total damage and losses in Donetsk and Luhansk regions for 2022-2023 is 223.3 US$ billion. These regions suffered not only one of the largest economic, but also the largest environmental losses. Bombing and shelling release large amounts of dust and particulate matter into the air, military activities often require the use of fossil fuels, such as diesel and gasoline, which can release large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other pollutants into the air. Bombing and shelling are destroying farmlands, irrigation systems and other agricultural infrastructure, making it difficult or impossible to grow crops. Large-scale displacement of farmers, disruption of water supply and treatment systems, are making it difficult for people to access clean water - these are just some of the ecological consequences If we want to achieve the Paris Agreement 2030 goals and carbon neutrality by 2050, then with the public efforts of all advanced countries it is possible to develop a clear mechanism for the post-war ecological recovery of the affected region. The Ukrainian Donbas serves as a test for other post-conflict areas.
Developing a clear mechanism for post-war ecological recovery
The mechanism of ecological reconstruction should consist of the following sectors/stages and be supported significantly by the World Bank, IMF, ERBD, and via reparations.
● Industry and Housing
In the case of the Donbas, many residential areas have been completely destroyed. There is a possibility of complete re-planning, which will make it possible to achieve higher environmental sustainability. Long-term practice shows that residential areas were built near mineral deposits, and the Donbas region is very rich in them - granite, chalk, gas, coal, and others. Therefore, it will be necessary to reassess the remaining minerals when planning construction, in cooperation with foreign partners, to plan the construction of plants and factories using modern technologies, with the installation of all the necessary cleaning filters and other environmental standards (waste discharge, electric power carriers that will power production).
Many people will come/return to rebuild the region and to new jobs, so planning the infrastructure of settlements will be the most important part of the post-war recovery. When planning, it is necessary to adhere to the concept of a “green city” - the use of eco-friendly materials in the construction of apartment buildings, a developed infrastructure for processing and disposal of waste, the creation of all conditions for the energy efficiency of public transport, urban areas, parks, the laying of state-of-the-art water pipes, and focusing on the exploitation of renewable energy sources. It will be important to strengthen the development of city/intercity transport systems, create conditions for cyclists and popularize this type of transport among the population. It also will be necessary to invest in the electrification of urban transport.
● Transport
In the transport sector, special quota conditions should be created for the purchase of electric vehicles and encourage the population to use them through 0% corporate taxes on the production of electric vehicles and 0% interest lending for this type of transport. At the same time, it will be necessary to invest in the development of the infrastructure for electric cars (charging stations, maintenance services, free parking spaces) and monitor the origin of the electricity that will power electric cars (there should be full concentration on the growth of renewable energy sources).
● Energy
The restoration and improvement of the energy sector has the largest potential for reducing GHG emissions. There should be a national strategy to maximize the expected results. The Donbas region is located near the Sea of Azov, in the steppe zone of Ukraine, which makes it suitable for placing a large number of solar farms and wind farms along the coast. This region is world-famous for its coal deposits, but mining this mineral and using it to produce energy at thermal power plants (seven in this region) is very environmentally unfriendly. A viable alternative is hydroelectric power plants.
Reconstruction of the Donbas region will cost between 280-420 billion US dollars. Ukraine will be able to receive this amount thanks to Russian reparations, from international partners and international organizations (World Bank, IMF, ERDB), the transfer of frozen financial assets of Russia to Ukraine, and collection of money through donor events. The global community must understand that it is better to increase budgets to promote peace, which will become more important and effective in protecting the environment and promoting sustainability, than to bear the financial consequences of wars.
All these measures are not only real and feasible. They also will have a huge impact on Ukraine's ability to achieve its Paris Agreement goals for 2030 and 2050. Ending the Russian-Ukrainian war as quickly as possible is a prerequisite for success. Success in the Donbas region can establish best practices for similar achievements in other post-conflict areas with beneficial consequences globally.
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Prokaza, D. (2019). “Losses of Donbas: how much the occupation of the region cost the economy”, Hromadske, April 2019, Kyiv (2022). “Wind energy in Ukraine and the world”, Hmarochos, January 2022, Kyiv
State Statistics Service of Ukraine, (2014). “Population as of January 1, 2014”, Kyiv
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