War and conflict result in human suffering, displacement and considerable harm to the environment. This damage is frequently due to the tactics and weaponry employed by opposing parties, which violate established legal standards designed to protect the environment during times of conflict [1].

Even though international and domestic laws provide explicit protection for the natural environment, civilians, and civilian objects, they frequently become targets of attack. This paper discusses the destructive effects of war on the environment and examines the legal frameworks – international and domestic laws - geared towards the protection of the environment in times of war. To achieve this, the paper is divided into six parts. Part I introduces the paper while Part II discusses the meaning of the different terms under discussion. Part III examines the legal framework for the protection of the environment in times of an armed conflict –treaties and principles of international humanitarian law; while Part IV examines the destructive effect war has on the environment. Part V provides measures on the way forward and part VI concludes the paper.