In the list of countries most affected by the climate crisis, the top 20 are considered fragile and are affected by violent conflict (see IRC Watchlist 2023). The nexus of climate and peace policy is therefore fundamental to achieving sustainable, just, and peaceful development. Systematically linking climate and peace policy means taking peacebuilding into account in environmental protection as well as implementing and financing climate policy in a conflict-sensitive manner. Conversely, peace commitment must also mean ensuring environmentally and climate-sensitive peacebuilding. Therefore cross-sectoral approaches and alliances are important and help to contribute to sustainability, just structures, and peace.

Environmental Peacebuilding“ for example, supports and promotes constructive and cooperative dialogue between all parties involved in the conflict. In this way, the effects of the climate crisis can be considered an additional risk multiplier and social as well as political inequalities and conflict dynamics can be addressed – all in the spirit of a socio-ecological and just transition to achieve the SDGs.

Anchoring in society

For successful climate policy, the connection to the local context is crucial. Therefore, joint conflict analyses involving local actors, especially women and marginalised groups , are essential. They provide important insights that serve as a basis for climate initiatives.

For successful climate and peace policy, it helps to also hold businesses accountable for a just transition: the global private sector as well as the development and financial institutions have a responsibility to become more involved in a socio-ecological and just transition towards climate neutrality. Commitment regarding conflict sensitivity and increased corporate responsibility in fragile and conflict-affected contexts (‘heightened due diligence’) would be an important step in the right direction.

Climate and Peace – Background

The climate crisis has an impact on conflicts and the associated challenges are complex: climate-induced flight and migration are accompanied by human rights violations and direct violence. Moreover, climate-related losses and damage caused by flooding, landslides, hurricanes and drought are often irreversible and of a substantial, economic, and non-material nature. These dramatic changes on the ground as well as the loss of livelihoods have an impact on social coexistence, peace, and development opportunities – they are already reality in many countries of the so-called Global South. Against this background, all interventions – including those related to climate change mitigation and adaptation – can exacerbate existing conflicts: regarding increasingly scarce natural resources like land and water or inequality and marginalisation.