Project name: Environment and Security: Policy transformation through knowledge building.
- Geographical scope: Worldwide, with a focus on areas affected by conflict.
- Priority area: Disasters and conflicts
- Time frame: Ongoing
- Partners: Munich Security Conference, International Centre for Parliamentary Studies, Government of the United Kingdom.
- Contribution to SDGs: Goal 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals.
Environmental challenge
The international community is facing an evolving threat to global peace and security. Peace is threatened by terrorism, cyber warfare, economic crises, weapons of mass destruction, and inter-state conflicts. As a result, security efforts focus primarily on these more well-known risks.
Yet care for the environment is no less essential to global security in the long-term, both as a challenge and as an emerging tool for peace. When coupled with economic challenges and weak coping mechanisms, for example, environmental damage can be a threat multiplier—as shown by how climate change is affecting soil fertility and causing conflict over land in Somalia. Furthermore, a correlation exists between areas of drought and those with low-intensity conflict. This suggests that measures to better manage water resources, for example, could help maintain peace.
Meanwhile, the environmental consequences of military conflicts go well beyond bullets and bombs. The presence of chemicals or oil refining in a conflict zone, which may even be simply damaged and not destroyed, can cause an ecological catastrophe. The environment must therefore not be forgotten during efforts to recover from conflict.
Project
The Geneva Science Policy Platform on Environment and Security was launched by the UN Environment Programme’s Europe Office in 2015.
One of the platform’s aims is to gather knowledge on the links between the environment and security, and influence policies for peace. For example, an infographic has been produced to show the correlation between drought and low-intensity conflict. A climate vulnerability index is currently being prepared to compare countries’ exposure to climate-related security risks.
UNEP is also working to inform decision-makers in order to transform policies. The platform has organised a training titled ‘Climate change and security: towards a greener peace’, providing evidence on how environmental action can support security. UNEP also has a memorandum of understanding with the Munich Security Conference – where prominent government and security officials meet – and led an event to analyse how environmental action can be a solution to security issues. Global security spending often results in massive investments to counter highly improbable threats to national security. Yet ‘green’ spending tackles a far greater threat to security and offers much better value for money.
In the long-term, the platform will furthermore seek to host negotiations on environmental issues that can exacerbate conflict or conflict.
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Any questions?
For more information, please contact leila.urekenova@un.org or mahir.aliyev@un.org
