Both in peace and battle, military leaders have responsibilities to the environment as part of their job. The commander has broad obligations as an agent of the state, including those that emerge during times of peace. When hostilities break out, it is the commander’s duty to ensure the safety of civilians and the environment, both of which are irreplaceable parts of humanity’s cultural legacy. In order to preserve the planet, military leaders must assume some danger.

Hence, in addition to ensuring the safety of deployed soldiers, other UN officials, and local residents, the military component must also remember to lessen the harmful effects of military operations on the environment.