The Damning Effect of Terrorism on the Environment: Towards A Sustainable International Legal Framework

Abstract

The increasing spate of terrorist activities and its damning effect on the environment through the use of harmful explosive devices calls for a comprehensive study to examine the need for an international legal framework for environmental protection.  This paper examines terrorist activities and counter-terror measures and the transboundary pollution effect of such measures in an increasingly populated planet. While adopting an analytical legal research method, this study analyses the environmental effect of terrorism and counter-terror measures using notable terrorist activities such as the 9/11 attack on the United States and relevant international legal instruments promulgated to combat terrorism and its harmful environmental effects.  The article concludes that while the act of terrorism should be condemned by all as it is harmful to the environment, counter-terror measures should be well managed to avoid environmental degradation and human collateral damage.  An international legal framework will be required to drastically reduce the environmental effect of counter-terror measures.