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Environment and Security in Eastern Europe. Aleh Cherp, Ph.D., Central European University Alexios Antypas, Ph.D., Central European University. Environment and Security Linkages. Environment, Tensions, and Conflict Stability and Trust Through Environmental Cooperation - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Environment and Security in Eastern Europe
Aleh Cherp, Ph.D., Central European University
Alexios Antypas, Ph.D., Central European University
Environment and Security Linkages
Environment, Tensions, and Conflict Stability and Trust Through Environmental
Cooperation Interaction Between Environmental and Security
Policies and Measures Environment and Instability Aspects of Security
Environment, Tensions, and Conflict
Environmental factors can aggravate existing tensions between and within states
Conflict arises over scarce natural resources, or when distribution is unequal Scarcity may be absolute or relative Social processes through which resources are
distributed must be included in the environment and security framework
Violent conflict over resources is relatively rare, most tensions remain “sub-critical” Sub-critical tensions bread hostility, distrust, and an
unwillingness to co-operate
Stability and Trust through Environmental Co-operation
Co-operation over critical shared resources such as water has proven to foster stability in inter-state relations
Co-operation over low-tension issues (“no regrets” projects) can build trust Especially appropriate for situations in which distrust
and tension prevail Legal regimes create an atmosphere of
predictability and dialogue, and co-operation in critical areas such as information sharing and early warning systems
Interaction between Environmental and Security Policies and Measures
When elements of one policy area affects another: Environmental impacts of peacetime military
activities Energy policy Environmental policy integration in defence and
foreign affairs policies poses significant opportunities
Environment and Instability Aspects of Security
Trends that undermine social stability and therefore state stability Rapid demographic change Human health crises Mass migration
Environmental problems that undermine social institutions Over-exploitation of resources → decline of rural
economies Environmental pollution → health problems, migration
Regional Context
845,000 km2 60 million inhabitants Wedged between
“East” and “West” Conflicts, tensions, and
transformations: Transnistria, “Orange Revolution”, Governance in Belarus, Crimea, energy security issues
Security Issues in Eastern Europe
Geopolitical Context
European Union interests include: Europeanization outside of the EU accession process “to make a particular contribution to stability and good
governance in our immediate neighbourhood and to promote a ring of well-governed countries to the East of the European Union….”
EU-Ukraine Action Plan, harmonization of laws, continued democratization and co-operation
EU-Moldova Action Plan, co-operation in helping settle Transnistria conflict
Environment as priority to help “avoid conflicts over scarce resources.”
Russian interests include: Maintaining transit to and from Western and Central Europe Protecting Russian minorities Retaining political and economic influence
Economic and Demographic Indicators
Environmental Legacies and Challenges of Transition The effects of Chernobyl Soviet-era industrialization and
environmental “hot spots” Military legacies of the Soviet-era Lack of attention to environmental
issues and under-funding of state institutions
Intensive use of natural resources Trade liberalization and
consumerism Environmental Sustainability
Index: Belarus: 47 out of 146 countries Moldova: 58 out of 146 countries Ukraine: 108 out of 146 countries
Interaction between Environment and Security Factors
Water Resources and Key Ecosystems
Environmental Hazards with Security Implications
Key Environmental Issues with Security Implications in Moldova Water quality/drinking water
Most accessible groundwater hydrologically connected to Dniester, of which 50% is contaminated
Transboundary co-operation with Romania and Ukraine has been developing well and has further potential
Land degradation 75% of Moldovan economy is linked to agriculture 50% of agricultural lands are degrading
Hazardous waste 1700-3000 tonnes of pesticides stored at 340 sites of which 80%
are in poor condition and 25% pose transboundary pollution risks Transnistria Russian military depot at the Kolbasna rail station in Transnistria
still holds around 20,000 tonnes of weapons and ammunition stockpiles, posing a severe environmental hazard
Security Issues with Environmental Implications in Moldova Energy security
98% of energy is imported, 70% of which is Russian natural gas Energy intensity of the economy is 3-4 times global average Poorly developed energy infrastructure Energy costs are 1/3+ of GDP
Transnistria Largest power plants are located in Transnistrian region Source of water pollution; contains significant quantities of
hazardous wastes and experiences large-scale illegal disposal Transboundary co-operation on issues such as Dniester R.
management complicated by conflict
Environment and Security Issues in Moldova
Water Management
Land and Ecosystems
Hazardous Sites and Activities
Tensions Dniester Stockpiles of banned pesticides; weapons
Co-operation Prut, Dniester Border natural areas and corridors
Interaction of E & S Policies and Measures
Stockpiles of weapons
Disruption of Institutions
Drinking water quality & abundance
Land degradation
Criteria for ENVSEC Interventions
Give high priority to actions likely to build trust and foster mutual learning
Attempt to address more than one Environment and Security theme in the same actions
Avoid overlapping with other programmesDraw on the unique capacity of the
ENVSEC Initiative to deal with complex multidimensional issues
Summary of Issues
The geo-political position of Eastern Europe strongly affects the way security and environmental issues interact in the region
EE does not experience outright conflict but rather tensions that can be exacerbated by unattended environmental problems or calmed by co-operation over the environment
In the medium and long term the “East-West” divide, population decline, economic restructuring, and energy dependence will have the potential to heighten transboundary and internal tensions and will keep environment and security issues high on the political agenda
Thank you !