Dealing with climate change conflicts

Climate change is rarely the sole cause of conflict, but it can intensify and multiply existing conflicts over natural resources. Development cooperation can help prevent this in three ways:

1. Addressing the root causes of the conflicts that climate change may contribute to
2. Supporting institutional mechanisms for conflict management and resolution
3. “Conflict proofing” development programmes and national policies, which may otherwise themselves increase the risk of conflict

These are among the key points in this DIIS Policy Brief.
The Policy Brief was presented at a recent DIIS seminar, which included presentations from practitioners and researchers on the relationship between climate change and conflict, and how this can be addressed. The presentations at the seminar provided case studies on pastoral conflicts in Northern Kenya, the “Peace Wells” in Niger, and the issues and options for addressing climate variability and food security issues in the Nile Basin (see below).

A more in-depth background DIIS Report on the issue has also been produced: "Addressing Climate Change and Conflict in Development Cooperation"

For more information, please contact Mikkel Funder

Presentations from the seminar
Addressing Climate Change and Conflict in Development Cooperation: Experiences from Natural Resources Management (pdf, 165 KB), by Mikkel Funder, Senior Researcher, DIIS

Conflict in the Horn of Africa: Causes, Solutions and the Role of Climate Change. The Case of Pastoral Conflicts in Northern Kenya (pdf, 2,445 KB), by Kennedy Mkutu, Professor, United States International University, Nairobi

Building 'Peace Wells' in the Sahel: Livelihood Security, Gender and Pastoralism in Niger by Marie Monimart, International Fellow, IIED. No Powerpoint presentation was used.

Transboundary Water Governance in the Nile Basin (pdf, 5,695 KB), by Ana Cascao, Programme manager, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).