UN peacekeepers work in solidarity with communities, partners, and host governments for a greener and safer world. Learn how UN peacekeepers in missions around the world work to address climate and security risks and mitigate the carbon-footprint of peace operations.
1. UNMISS, South Sudan
South Sudan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. UN Peacekeepers find innovative ways to help mitigate the impact of floods on communities and to reach the most vulnerable. Here, peacekeepers from Pakistan’s engineering battalion measure water levels of floods in Bentiu.
UNMISS peacekeepers from Pakistan’s engineering battalion establish and maintain networks of dykes to protect over 300,000 Internally Displaced Persons from floods in Bentiu, South Sudan. Their vital work includes road maintenance, construction and maintenance of dykes, and conservation of the airport runway. These essential tasks, often undertaken in challenging conditions, play a vital role in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in the capital of Unity State, South Sudan.
2. MINURSO, Western Sahara
In 2019, our UN Peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, MINURSO, launched a solar initiative to pave the way for a greener future. Today, six out of ten sites have renewable energy capacity, with a seventh underway. MINURSO's transition to solar power helps reduce the mission's greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fuel.
3. UNISFA, Abyei
Abyei is facing a water crisis that affects cattle, a lifeline for communities who heavily rely on these animals. UN Peacekeepers work with famers, herders, authorities and partners to prevent and address conflict.
Following the loss of 80% of the cattle population to disease, community members in Abyei felt hopeless. UNISFA Indian peacekeepers stepped in to support communities, offering veterinary clinics to promote cattle health and sustain peace.
4. UNFICYP, Cyprus
Illegal waste dumping is one of the main environmental challenges in the buffer zone in Cyprus. UNFICYP peacekeepers work to monitor, prevent, and remove illegal waste to protect the environment and preserve the natural habitat of wild species.
Limited human activity in the buffer zone in Cyprus has contributed to a unique ecosystem and natural habitat home to over 200 bird species. Yet, many of these bird species are endangered by bird traps set illegally by hunters. UNFICYP peacekeepers work to maintain the sanctity of the buffer zone, partnering with local authorities, like the Game and Fuana Services, to identify, seize and destroy illegal hunting and trapping equipment.
5. UN Peacekeeping’s Environmental Footprint
To limit the environmental impact of UN Peacekeeping missions, we work with the UN Department of Operational Support (DOS) to improve our practices. By investing in renewable energy, fuel use per capita in peace operations has dropped by 10% since 2017, with diesel consumption decreasing in real terms by 15 million liters a year. Additionally, since 2017, the proportion of waste treated through recycling, composting and incineration has increased from 19% to 65%. UN Peacekeepers work with partners to decrease their overall consumption of natural resources and the production of waste.