Co-Benefits through Coordination of Climate Action and Peacebuilding: A System Dynamics Model


Publisher: Journal of Peacebuilding & Development

Author(s): Héctor Morales-Muñoz, Arwen Bailey, Katharina Löhr, Giulia Caroli, Ma. Eliza J. Villarino, Ana María LoboGuerrero, Michelle Bonatti, Stefan Siebert, and Augusto Castro-Nuñez

Date: 2022

Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Causes, Conflict Prevention, Cooperation, Dispute Resolution/Mediation, Governance, Humanitarian Assistance, Land, Peace and Security Operations, Programming

Countries: European Union

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Climate disasters affect human security and development, moreso in fragile and conflict-affected contexts where population’ capacities to cope with climate change are compromised. Responses to such crises lie at the nexus of humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding. Yet, there are still too few integrated programmatic responses coordinating peacebuilding and climate actions to ensure a progressive human development. This research develops a multi-scalar model to help actors identify thematic areas to inform synergistic efforts and programs at different scales to better coordinate their actions. Findings suggest that climate action and peacebuilding sectors can coordinate actions around climate and conflict risk assessments, the management of land and water resources, ecosystem restoration, nature-based climate adaptation, climate and conflict smart agriculture, natural resources governance, and sustainable market development. These collaborative efforts have the potential to generate co-benefits, such as increased social cohesion and livelihood creation.