The following text is a summary of a practice paper published by Conciliation Resources, an international organization committed to stopping violent conflict and creating more peaceful societies. It was authored by Laura Aumeer, Tom Barton and Kat French, with editorial input from Zand Ramsbotham and Alison Wright. Read the full paper here.
This paper is based on our experience of peace and climate change programming in the Bangsamoro, in the Philippines, Karamoja in Uganda, and Kashmir. Examples of interventions from these three contexts illustrate how peacebuilders can support better coordination and collaboration among governments and communities, drawing on local knowledge and expertise of people on the frontline of climate change and conflict.
Whilst the impacts of climate change and their relationship with conflict dynamics and actors vary significantly between contexts, and any responses or actions must be contextualised – we identify common principles to address these issues. These principles should inform peacebuilding actions that respond to the growing issues of climate change, and principles for more conflict-sensitive climate change responses. Finally, the paper draws out common barriers that peacebuilding organisations need to overcome and proposes priorities for action.
Priorities for action and investment
Working across different levels, disciplines and organisations. Donor governments, multilateral and international organisations must financially incentivise more joined-up responses, including through coordination platforms and support to local civil society. International NGOs should build and sustain collaborative partnerships that are cross-sector and multi-level.
Revising policies to support prevention and mitigation of conflict affected by climate change. Policies that address climate change related conflict risks should look beyond ‘security’ focused responses and embed peacebuilding approaches and support. Climate finance mechanisms should work for conflict affected areas and should be able to reach local civil society.
Embedding intersectional analysis to underpin all climate and conflict peacebuilding programming. Governments and international NGOs should ensure integrated, localised, gendered conflict analysis underpins all climate change responses.
This paper is the first paper of two looking at climate change and conflict. The second, Gender, climate change and conflict: understanding the relationships, explores the gendered norms and expectations that affect this intersection.