Leveraging the Environment and Natural Resources for Peacebuilding

Apr 19, 2021 | Anum Farhan
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Environmental peacebuilding as a field recognises the influence of natural resources and the environment on peace and security, and studies the most effective means to manage natural resources to prevent and reduce conflict and build lasting peace.

In order to foster peace and stability, the environment and its natural resources must be able to support sustainable livelihoods.

Land is one of the most important resources in a post-war context. The shared management of land in Caquetá, Colombia is an example of the potential for environmental cooperation to create spaces for inclusive dialogue, build community trust and the resolve land-use challenges.

Kalilou demonstrated the strong connection between gum arabic production and the mitigation of violence. The gum arabic tree grows in abundance in the Sahel: the seeds are eaten, the wood is used for fire, construction and tools, and the bark and leaves are fed to camels, goats and sheep.