Animals as Part of the Environment

doi:10.1017/9781009057301.008

7 - Animals as Part of the Environment

from Part II - The Protection of Animals in International and Non-international Armed Conflicts

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 October 2022

Jérôme de Hemptinne

Edited by

Anne Peters ,

Jérôme de Hemptinne and

Robert Kolb

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Anne Peters: Affiliation:
Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, Heidelberg
Jérôme de Hemptinne: Affiliation:
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Robert Kolb: Affiliation:
Université de Genève

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Summary

This chapter argues that animals, as part of the environment, benefit from the protection afforded by the direct and indirect environmental safeguards offered by principles and rules of international humanitarian law. However, it also reveals that the pertinent norms are weak and largely unclear, especially in the context of non-international armed conflicts. For this reason, the chapter contends that the said rules need to be read in conjunction with the growing body of international norms, standards and mechanisms that seek to prevent and redress environmental harm during peacetime. Indeed, international environmental law has the potential to protect animals from suffering from the general deterioration of natural habitats and ecosystems caused by humans. However, the protection offered by the relevant instruments and unwritten principles is severely constrained by their narrow substantive, personal and territorial scope of application.

Keywords

wildlife in war environment habitat natural resources ecosystems biological diversity extraterritorial application armed non-state actors environmental standards

Type: Chapter
Information: Animals in the International Law of Armed Conflict , pp. 109 - 128

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009057301.008 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2022

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