Five Rules for Climate Adaptation in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations

May 2, 2022 | Elise Remling
View Original

How can organizations working on adaptation in fragile and conflict-affected situations make sure their interventions not only do no harm, but even contribute to peace?

The magnitude of projected climate impacts underlines that adaptation is neither a luxury nor an excuse to lower ambitions when it comes to mitigation. It needs to happen across the globe, and countries that are better off and most responsible for the problem need to assist developing countries in their adaptation efforts.

While often implemented with the best intentions, poorly planned, designed or managed adaptation interventions can create problems for people and communities living nearby. The risk of maladaptation is higher in places affected by fragility and conflict, where local situations are already sensitive. 

As part of SIPRI’s Environment of Peace initiative, we have been looking at what is known  about the relationship between adaptation interventions, peace and conflict. Based on what we found out, here are five rules that should inform adaptation in fragile and conflict-affected situations, in order to avoid unintended, maladaptive consequences.