Abstract
The regulation of Environmental Modification Techniques (EMTs) during armed conflict is a critical area of international law, primarily governed by the ENMOD Convention. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the efficacy of the ENMOD Convention by examining its key provisions, the legal obligations it imposes on state parties, the mechanisms for enforcement and accountability, and its adaptability to technological advancements. The analysis reveals significant limitations in the convention’s scope, particularly its focus on international armed conflicts to the exclusion of non-international conflicts, which are more prevalent in contemporary warfare. Additionally, the convention’s reliance on self-reporting by state parties and the absence of robust enforcement mechanisms undermine its potential impact. The emergence of new military technologies, such as geoengineering and cyber warfare, further complicates the convention’s applicability, highlighting the need for an updated regulatory framework. This article aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on environmental protection in warfare by providing a detailed examination of the ENMOD Convention’s strengths and weaknesses, and proposing potential avenues for reform.