International Responsibility of Multinational Oil and Gas Companies for Environmental Pollution Resulting from the Destruction of Energy Infrastructure during Armed Conflicts

Abstract

The destruction of energy infrastructure during armed conflicts, particularly in the oil and gas sector, may result in the release of pollutants, contamination of water and soil, degradation of ecosystems, and extensive, long-term environmental damage. The principal issue in this context is whether multinational oil and gas companies, where they are directly involved, facilitate harmful conduct, derive economic benefits from such activities, or fail to prevent environmental harm, may be held accountable only under domestic civil liability regimes or whether some form of international responsibility or transnational accountability may also be attributed to them. The main research question is: What are the legal foundations of the international responsibility or transnational accountability of these companies for environmental pollution caused by the destruction of energy infrastructure during armed conflicts? The research hypothesis is that, although traditional international law primarily regards states as the principal bearers of international responsibility, recent developments in international environmental law, international humanitarian law, human rights law, and instruments governing corporate obligations have created a basis for recognizing an increasing degree of legal accountability for multinational corporations. The study aims to elucidate the legal foundations of such responsibility, examine the limits of attributing harmful conduct to corporations, and assess the adequacy of existing mechanisms for remedying environmental damage. This research adopts a descriptive-analytical method and is based on a library-based examination of legal instruments, treaties, judicial and non-judicial practices, and authoritative legal sources. The findings indicate that, although a comprehensive and explicit regime governing the direct international responsibility of multinational corporations has not yet emerged, there is increasing scope for developing their accountability through due diligence obligations, transnational accountability mechanisms, and domestic and international remedial frameworks.