Policy Brief: Actions for People, Nature, and Peace
Publisher: PAX
Date: 2021
Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Causes, Conflict Prevention, Governance
This joint letter from PAX, ZOI Environment Network, and the Conflict & Environment Observatory, released prior to the Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), addresses how the conference can further support the global environment, peace, and security agenda.
Excerpt from Letter: UNEA-5’s “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals'' theme is a unique opportunity to explore nature’s role in relation to peace and security. Nature is key for providing a healthy and productive environment, providing the conditions for safe and stable societies. Disruption to nature can be particularly acute during armed conflicts, with both direct and long-term impacts on lives and livelihoods, and on the climate-resilience of affected states. Conflicts in biodiversity hotspots are commonplace and, by fracturing societies and weakening environmental governance, conflicts can create and sustain the conditions for environmental degradation that may extend for years beyond the cessation of hostilities.