“May Kabul be without gold, but not without snow” – Environmental Harm in Transitional Justice and Peacebuilding: The Case of Afghanistan

The nexus between environmental harm and transitional justice in the context of conflict

In conflict zones, environmental degradation is both a symptom and a driver of instability. War accelerates deforestation, soil degradation, water contamination, and air pollution—destroying natural resources crucial for survival. Although there is a clear correlation between environmental harm and large-scale violence, transitional justice discourse and practice have mostly failed to acknowledge or address the environmental consequences of conflict. This oversight limits the scope of justice and hinders efforts to achieve comprehensive post-conflict recovery and accountability. If post-conflict rebuilding is to be meaningful, it must extend beyond political reconciliation and institutional reform. It must also confront the environmental wounds of war — those that continue to scar the land and the people long after the last gun has fallen silent.

In Afghanistan, decades of war have devastated the environment. From deforestation and land degradation to oil spills and radioactive contamination, the country’s natural systems have been systematically destroyed.  The use of depleted uranium ammunition has resulted in residual radioactive contamination. The demolition of irrigation systems has severely impacted agricultural productivity. Increasing cases of respiratory illnesses and cancer, likely tied to exposure to harmful substances, are only now beginning to be fully understood. Floods, a recurring threat, cause around $400 million in annual economic losses and affect 335,000 people, largely due to weak infrastructure. Droughts also drive mass displacement—over two million were affected in 2018 alone and since 2021, 2.3 million people have been displaced —hitting the poorest Afghans hardest, with 85% living in vulnerable conditions and lacking climate resilience.

Environmental injustice in Afghanistan disproportionately affects women. In rural areas, women are primary caregivers and providers of water, food, and fuel. As environmental degradation increases, they must travel longer distances for firewood or clean water, sacrificing time for education or income. Climate-induced displacement—driven by droughts and floods—exposes women to greater risks, including gender-based violence and lack of healthcare and sanitation. This exclusion entrenches gender inequities and undermines peacebuilding efforts.

This environmental injustice thrives in a landscape of weak governance and impunity.  A 2003 UNEP Post‑Conflict Environmental Assessment warned that decades of mismanagement had crippled Afghanistan’s natural resource systems. Yet little changed. Instead, post-2001 reconstruction efforts prioritised military spending over peacebuilding and environmental recovery. Local grievances were ignored, and transitional justice mechanisms were largely absent.

Moreover, environmental degradation caused by war, deforestation, and poor water management received little attention, despite its direct impact on livelihoods and long-term stability. This imbalance ultimately undermined sustainable peace, fostering resentment and weakening the legitimacy of both domestic institutions and international actors.

Environmental Justice as a Peacebuilding Tool

Integrating environmental justice into post-conflict peacebuilding provides a pathway for healing both war-torn communities and damaged ecosystems. In many conflict zones, warfare exacerbates environmental degradation—forests are stripped for fuel or tactical advantage, water sources are polluted or weaponized, and arable land is left barren. Addressing these environmental harms by reforesting landscapes, restoring agricultural productivity, and securing equitable access to clean water, can reduce the risk of future resource-driven tensions. Moreover, collaborative environmental restoration efforts can serve as a foundation for rebuilding trust and cooperation among formerly hostile groups or between government and citizens, thus transforming shared ecological interests into a bridge for sustainable peace. Any future transitional justice efforts, in Afghanistan and beyond, must include the environmental consequences of war. Truth commissions should document ecological damage and its social impacts. Reparations could involve community-driven land restoration projects or other initiatives. Legal and institutional reform should include environmental protections that explicitly address gender disparities. Donors and international partners must also align peacebuilding and environmental goals. Aid should prioritize eco-friendly infrastructure, natural resource governance, and direct support for women-led environmental initiatives. 

Afghanistan’s path to peace is long and fraught with setbacks. But one thing is certain: any peace that disregards the environment is not peace at all; it is merely a pause before the next crisis.  By investing in environmental rehabilitation, such as reforestation, water management, and sustainable agriculture, Afghanistan could lay the groundwork for long-term peace, economic resilience, and social stability, offering communities an alternative to conflict and dependence on foreign aid. 

The old Afghan saying, “May Kabul be without gold, but not without snow,” speaks to the deep value of water over wealth—but with Kabul’s aquifers depleting and snowfall declining, the city now faces the grave risk of losing both its snow and its gold if the crisis goes unaddressed.