What Is Climate Security and Why Is It Important?
Publisher: UNDP Climate Promise
Date: 2023
Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Causes, Governance
Climate security refers to the impacts of the climate crisis on peace and security, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Climate change can exacerbate food, water, and livelihood insecurity, with cascading effects such as increased competition over natural resources, social disruptions, and displacement. This can lead to increased tensions, conflict, and instability in a country or region.
In settings where conflict already exists, the impacts of climate change can aggravate or prolong it, making it more difficult to reach and sustain peace. Conflict can in turn disrupt or impede climate action, either through the active destruction of energy, water, and agricultural assets, or by delaying or blocking mitigation and adaptation interventions.