Exploring the Appropriate Role of the Military in Environmental Peacebuilding: Identifying the Evidence, Gaps, Best Practices, and Priorities of Work

Date & Time
Jun 16, 2026 | 13.30 - 3.00

Participants
Richard Marcantonio, University of Notre Dame (United States)

The rate of global environmental change continues to accelerate. So too is the rate of conflict proliferating globally. These two phenomena are distinct but with complex interactions and often shared outcomes. Countries and communities continue to seek innovative ways to mitigate or adapt to these unfolding realities. Increasingly military units are being utilized for a range of mission sets related to environmental security operations and environmental peacebuilding. While the use of the military for such work is not necessarily new, for example the deployment of the military for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. However, the range and frequency of operations is new, resulting in emerging questions about the appropriate role of the military in environmental security operations and environmental peacebuilding. This workshop with work to collectively identify key evidence bases, research and practice gaps, best practices, and priority areas of work for understanding and guiding the role of the military in environmental peacebuilding. The goal is to produce a robust outline for a peer reviewed perspectives article at a relevant journal and a policy white paper, and forge a community of research and practice to continue the conversation on this important topic.