The Nexus of Climate Change, Fragility, and Peacebuilding

Apr 13, 2021 | US Institute of Peace and Wilson Center
online
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The Biden administration is taking action to center climate change in its foreign policy and national security agendas, preparing to dramatically curb U.S. emissions, and has recognized climate change’s connection to injustice. Yet, one thing has been missing from the administration’s climate agenda: The linkages between climate change action and opportunities to build peace. While climate impacts can drive conflict and insecurity, well-designed climate action can foster collaboration and promote peace, and strategic investments in peacebuilding can yield climate resilience.

The Global Fragility Act (GFA) and recently released “U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stabilization” could provide an important avenue to elevate and leverage the Biden administration’s bold climate agenda to address instability and build peace. Bridging the policy gap between climate action and peacebuilding is a crucial first step to a more climate resilient and peaceful future. In fact, research shows sustainable peace requires a climate-sensitive lens, and sustainable climate responses require a conflict-sensitive lens.

Join USIP and the Wilson Center for a timely discussion with experts on the linkages between climate and fragility, and how a more integrated approach to climate and fragility policies and responses can simultaneously strengthen resilience outcomes and minimize threats to peace and prosperity.

Speakers:

Joe Hewitt, introductory remarks - Vice President, Policy, Learning, and Strategy, U.S. Institute of Peace

Robert Jenkins, keynote remarks - Acting Assistant Administrator, Bureau of Conflict Prevention and Stabilization, USAID

Cynthia Brady, moderator - Global Fellow, Woodrow Wilson Center

Dina Esposito - Vice President of Technical Leadership, Mercy Corps

Alice Hill - David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment, Council on Foreign Relations; Former Senior Director, Resilience Policy, National Security Council

Liz Hume - Acting President and CEO, Alliance for Peacebuilding

Erin Sikorsky - Deputy Director, The Center for Climate and Security; Former Deputy Director, Strategic Futures Group, National Intelligence Council

Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Time: 10-11:30am EST

Register here.