Seeking Input on the Definition of "Environmental Peacebuilding"

Mar 31, 2015 | Environmental Peacebuilding

For many years, we have brought together a wide range of researchers, practitioners, and decisionmakers working at the intersection of peacebuilding and natural resources and the environment.  Over this time, our understanding of “environmental peacebuilding” has evolved.  We are in the process of seeking to refine the term to take into account the growing body of experience and thinking. 

We are soliciting input on the following definition:


"Environmental peacebuilding is the process of governing natural resources and the environment in ways that help lay the foundation for sustainable peace.  It includes efforts to prevent, mitigate, resolve, and recover from violent conflict, and involves both renewable natural resources (land, water, forests, etc.) and extractive natural resources (minerals, oil, gas, etc.).  By governing these resources strategically, societies can improve livelihoods, strengthen the economy, and rebuild trust."

This definition seeks to:

  • Provide both a concise and clear definition (the first sentence) and a more detailed definition (the paragraph)
  • Acknowledge the temporal linkages throughout the conflict lifecycle:  what happens in post-conflict peacebuilding depends in part on the causes and impacts of conflict. 
  • Avoid overpromising.  Environmental peacebuilding is an important dimension of peacebuilding, but natural resources and the environment are only one set of the many factors that influence the onset, conclusion, recovery from, and relapse to conflict.
  • Focus on the importance of governing natural resources and the environment, recognizing that governance includes the normative and institutional dimensions as well as the more technical aspects of management.

We would welcome any thoughts on what you like about this definition and ways you would recommend we change it (and why).  If there are any citations you would recommend, that would be welcome, but not necessary.  Comments should be submitted no later than Monday, April 6.  They may be submitted via Facebook, LinkedIn, or via email (share@environmentalpeacebuilding.org).