Doug Weir

Doug Weir is Director at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, where his work focuses on the environmental dimensions of armed conflict and military activity. His research examines how war and security policies contribute to environmental degradation, with a particular emphasis on pollution, ecosystem damage, and the long-term risks associated with military emissions.

Doug is widely recognised for his work on the environmental consequences of conflict, including the impact of oil fires, toxic remnants of war, and the environmental footprint of military operations. He has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the monitoring and governance of conflict-related environmental harm, advocating for stronger international frameworks and greater transparency around military environmental data.

His research has contributed to growing international attention on the climate implications of armed conflict. He has worked extensively on the issue of military greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the challenges of measuring and reporting emissions that are often excluded from national accounting frameworks. His work has informed discussions within the United Nations and other multilateral processes on how to better integrate environmental considerations into security policy.

Doug regularly engages with policymakers, international organisations, and civil society actors, providing analysis on the intersection of conflict, environment, and international risk. His work continues to shape emerging debates on how environmental degradation linked to conflict can act as a long-term driver of instability and insecurity.