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A small step
Peace will be featured at COP 28 for the first time
31 May 2023
Tom-Seger | M4 pEfJoPqc | UnsplashMost of climate fragile countries are countries that are already affected or at risk of conflict, making these countries a resilience building priority. However due to the volatile nature of their governance and economic systems, fragile and conflict affected states are excluded from receiving appropriate support to cope with the climate crisis, when they are the ones that need it the most. A need for a conflict sensitive approach has never been higher.
In Somalia, climate change impacts have strained existing tensions between clans. The severe drought which my country experienced for the past consecutive three years have led pastoral communities to move from their homes in search of water and pasture. In one case in the Galgaduud region, an encounter between communities resulted in violent conflict, leaving more than 30 people dead. We also see terrorist groups recruiting children in exchange for food, an extreme result of food scarcity caused by ongoing drought conditions. In turn, the recruited children have fought with the government of Somalia, and in some cases including through suicide bombing, resulting in the deaths of thousands and increasing regional insecurity.
Climate change and environmental degradation pose great threats to peace and security
Climate change has worsened degradation of the natural environment and increasing resource scarcity in many parts of the world, especially in countries that already face an ongoing humanitarian crisis or ongoing violent conflict. While climate change does not directly cause insecurity, as the examples above demonstrate, it often exacerbates existing communal pressures on conflict due to resource competition for pastures, food, and water..
Peace and conflict sensitivity are integral to sustainable development and climate change response. Climate change and environmental degradation pose great threats to peace and security around the world. However, peace, security and conflict sensitivity are rarely included in thematic programs or at the negotiation tables of international environmental policy fora like the UNFCCC, UNCBD, and UNEA.
In 2023, we see a light at the end of the tunnel. UAE, as host state of COP28, has officially announced the thematic programme for this year's COP. Health/Relief, Recovery, and Peace will be featured on 3 December, marking the first time peace has been acknowledged in a climate change COP thematic programme. It is a small step, but one that should be celebrated. The inclusion of peace in an official thematic programme sends a signal to governments and their negotiators that peace is on the table.
70% of climate fragile countries are countries that are already affected or at risk of conflict
The Community of Practice on Environment, Climate, Conflict, and Peace (ECCP) are organizing a series of activities, events, and policy pathways to integrate peace and conflict sensitivity into the COP28 agenda. Created in 2020, the ECCP is a structured, yet informal community of more than 500 participants around the world working on issues related to climate security, environmental peacebuilding, conflict-sensitive conservation, and more. Its members include community-based organizations in conflict-affected areas, government officials, NGO and UN staff, academics, and students. Members of the community of practice believe that climate change, environment and peace are interlinked and should be given priority at negotiation tables, including COP28.
With the above in mind, peacebuilding organisations are calling for the urgent need for climate action and finance to be conflict sensitive. Today 70% of climate fragile countries are countries that are already affected or at risk of conflict, making these countries a resilience building priority. However due to the volatile nature of their governance and economic systems, fragile and conflict affected states (FCAS) are excluded from receiving appropriate climate finance, when they are the ones that need it the most. Climate finance needs to be smarter and cater to the needs of the most vulnerable.
The principles must also be reflected in the loss and damage fund
Conducting and acting on a context-based analysis before designing climate policies and actions is a first step in improving access. Governments also need to identify intermediaries within their climate departments that carry expertise on conflict sensitivity to be able to conduct these analyses. The increase in locally led projects will inherently lead to an in depth understanding of the local context. The quality of this finance needs to be adapted to the local contexts. This can be via simplified accreditation, increased flexibility in adapting projects to volatile contexts. These principles must also be reflected in the funding arrangements of the loss and damage fund, where the needs of FCAS need to be taken into account.
With the rush towards net zero and the massive increase in green investments a need for a conflict sensitive approach has never been higher. Heightened due diligence to increase accountability of companies is a definite step in this direction. Working across sectors is key to achieve conflict sensitive climate action and building sustainable peace, without which we risk harming our chances to reach the Paris Agreement goals.