Climate Resilience and Conflict: Multi-stakeholder Partnerships As A Way Forward?

Nov 22, 2021 | Christopher Graham
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In recent years, there has been an outpouring of evidence that climate change is intensifying and driving conflict situations around the world. The socio-ecological consequences of climate change places additional pressures on urban and rural communities that are already resource strapped and politically volatile.

These intensifying climate-provoked conflict situations, underscore the urgent need for approaches to conflict resolution that recognizes the connections between the natural environment, economic security, and social and political stability. Military and social responses alone in resolving conflict or preserving peace are futile without considering the climate-conflict nexus.

Climate resilience-building calls on stakeholders to pay closer attention to the implications of pre-existing  structural vulnerabilities, including political conflict, governance inadequacies and level of development. By intuitively calling upon multiple actors, some climate resilience-building projects implemented in conflict zones have brought parties to conflict into dialogue with each other.