The article stresses that Syria’s reconstruction cannot be sustainably achieved without integrating environmental justice at its core. While rebuilding homes, institutions, and services has rightly dominated recovery efforts, the degradation of Syria’s environment—exacerbated by war, drought, pollution, and regulatory neglect—poses an equally urgent threat. Environmental harm is not only ecological; it is economic, social, and ethical. The article argues that ignoring these dynamics risks reinforcing structural vulnerabilities and perpetuating injustice.

Through comparative analysis, the article draws lessons from other post-conflict contexts—Lebanon, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Rwanda, Yemen, and Sri Lanka—demonstrating how delayed or absent environmental planning has repeatedly undermined recovery. In contrast, proactive approaches, such as Rwanda’s green policies or Iraq’s debris recycling efforts, illustrate how environmental stewardship can foster resilience, economic opportunity, and public trust. These examples suggest that integrating sustainability is not a luxury but a necessity, particularly in fragile post-war settings.

The article also makes a compelling moral and institutional case. Environmental ethics are inseparable from the ethics of state reconstruction: safeguarding land, air, and water is integral to restoring social contracts and political legitimacy. This responsibility is shared—by governments, civil society, and individuals alike. Policy recommendations include regulating renewable energy to avoid future hazards, empowering environmental oversight bodies, embedding environmental standards into investment laws, and supporting community-based initiatives and local expertise.

Ultimately, the article calls for a cultural and policy shift. Reconstruction must reimagine its relationship with nature—not as an afterthought, but as the terrain upon which long-term peace and prosperity are built. Environmental justice, then, is not just about protecting ecosystems; it is about enabling a future where Syrians can live with dignity, stability, and mutual care between people and the land they inhabit.