Mesures prises:
• References to IHL and to the need to ensure protection of the natural environment in armed conflict have been regularly (more than 20 times over the reporting period) included in national as well as Nordic and Nordic-Baltic statements in the UN context, in particular in the statements in the UN Security Council.
• These statements include both thematic as well as geographical debates, as well as Arria formula meetings.
• The necessity of environmental protection in armed conflicts has also been highlighted in various national, Nordic, and Nordic-Baltic statements at the UN General Assembly.
• Finland joined the Humanitarian aid Donors’ Declaration on Climate and Environment in 2022.
• Former ILC Special Rapporteur and Ambassador-at-large for International Legal Affairs, Dr. Marja Lehto has engaged in a wide range of activities aimed at raising awareness and understanding of the relevant rules of international law related to protection of environment in armed conflict. These activities (around 50 over the reporting period) have included numerous lectures in events addressed to the military and government officials, university students, and the public, participation in international seminars, workshops and briefings, including at the United Nations in New York and Geneva, and publication of articles and blog posts.
• With regard to humanitarian funding, Finland’s main support has been through funding the CERF and supporting its initiative to promote anticipatory action through the OCHA donor support group.
• As part of its funding to CSOs, Finland requires organizations to explain in their applications how the environmental impacts of the action are assessed, and how this contributes to the prevention and reduction of disaster risk and increasing the resilience to natural hazards. Organizations also need to report on this.
