Besides the transboundary water disputes with Turkey and Iran, provinces in Iraq are internally competing on the limited water recourses. Water Peace and Security Initiative (WPS) has identified interconnected factors that are impacting water availability and, hence, water-related conflicts at interprovincial level. In order to address these factors, WPS proposes three approaches as building blocks to stability: (1) researching interprovincial water challenges, (2) fostering dialogue between stakeholders and (3) supporting activities to prevent conflict risks.

The Planetary Security Initiative is starting a new climate reporting fellowship with Free Press Unlimited. During the upcoming 2.5 years, we will actively work with local journalists, academics and the youth in countries highly affected by climate change, mainly in the Middle East and Levant region. The fellowship aims to increase public awareness and spark international and local debate on climate-related security risks. First contributions were already published in local news outlets.

Disputes over water resources make up roughly 10% of the ongoing tribal conflicts in Southern Iraq. The disputes are subject to an increase in the light of recurring droughts caused by decreasing water flow from Tigris and Euphrates, radical environmental changes, and poor management. The droughts pose a serious threat to the fragile stability in the south, but local experts and communities come up with solutions to alleviate the tension.

The Indo-Asia Pacific region is highly exposed to climate change-driven hazards, including extreme hydrometeorological and heat events, sea-level rise and acidifying oceans. A new report by the Expert Group of the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS) presents an overview of climate change-related threats to security in the Indo-Asia Pacific region and urges Indo-Asia Pacific leaders to make climate change a “Security Priority”.

A new book on environmental challenges related to water scarcity and biodiversity degradation in Iraq is published early this year. Planetary security Initiative interviewed the author, Khaled Sulaiman, to know more about his book, his views on Iraq's upcoming challenge and the role of journalism in bringing different actors together to develop long-term solutions.

A new policy paper by the Climate Security Expert Network and European Institute of Peace explores climate – conflict nexus in the Horn of Africa. The study summaries the science on the linkages between climate change and violence in the region, and presents an overview of how the EU and other European actors are approaching climate-related security risks in the Horn of Africa.