On World Environment Day: Achieving Climate Justice for the Palestinian People Is Inseparable from Political Justice and Freedom
Occupied Palestinian Territory – The world marks World Environment Day on 5th of June at a time when the impacts of the global climate crisis are becoming increasingly severe, ranging from prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and the degradation of natural resources to biodiversity loss and growing threats to the world's most vulnerable communities.
In Palestine, environmental and climate challenges intersect with the realities of occupation and war, further undermining the resilience and adaptive capacity of Palestinian communities. The ongoing war on the Gaza Strip has caused widespread destruction of environmental infrastructure, contamination of water sources, soil, and air, and the accumulation of millions of tons of rubble and waste. Meanwhile, Palestinians in the West Bank continue to face escalating challenges, including land confiscation, tree uprooting, and restrictions on access to natural and water resources.
ActionAid Palestine affirms that climate justice cannot be separated from social and political justice and the right of peoples to self-determination. Palestinian communities—particularly women, children, farmers, and herders—are paying a disproportionate price due to both the impacts of climate change and the violations that restrict their access to land, water, and sustainable livelihoods.
On this occasion, ActionAid Palestine renews its commitment to supporting local communities and strengthening their resilience and capacity to adapt to environmental and climate challenges through programmes that promote community participation, protect natural resources, advance sustainable agricultural practices, and empower women and young people to play an active role in addressing environmental challenges.
The organization believes that protecting the Palestinian environment is not merely an environmental issue; it is fundamentally linked to the human rights to health, food, clean water, and a life of dignity. Investing in sustainable, community-led, and nature-based solutions is also essential for building a more just and sustainable future for coming generations.
On World Environment Day, ActionAid Palestine calls on the international community to uphold its responsibilities towards protecting the environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, ensuring respect for the right to a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment, and addressing the escalating environmental and climate impacts resulting from war and occupation.
About ActionAid International
ActionAid International is a global federation working with more than 41 million people across over 72 of the world’s poorest countries. We strive for a world founded on justice and sustainability, where everyone enjoys a life of dignity, freedom, and a world free from poverty and oppression. Our work focuses on achieving social justice, gender equality, and eradicating poverty.
ActionAid began its work in Palestine in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, grounded in their right to freedom, justice, and self-determination. In Palestine, ActionAid implements various programmes through engagement with Palestinian communities, youth groups, and women. We aim to empower women and young people, enhance their effective civic and political participation, deepen their understanding of their rights, and mobilize them to engage in collective action to address rights violations resulting from prolonged occupation. Additionally, we work to strengthen their leadership capacities and support them in practicing active citizenship by holding authorities and other duty bearers accountable.
For more information, please contact:
Riham Jafari
Communications and Advocacy coordinator – ActionAid Palestine