The overarching consideration that the belligerent parties in armed conflicts should adhere to must be the need to avoid unnecessary civilian casualties. This, however, is not the sole concern. In addition to taking into consideration the plight of civilians, belligerent parties will also have to take into account the environment. Environmental issues are linked to armed conflicts in a number of ways. For instance, Article 35(3) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Convention provides that “[I]t is prohibited to employ methods or means of warfare which are intended, or may be expected, to cause widespread, long-term and…