The Climate Change Crisis: Ensuring Integration of Conflict Prevention and Climate Change in U.S. Foreign Policy and Development Assistance (April 2022 Update)

Publisher: Alliance for Peacebuilding

Authors: Elizabeth Hume - Executive Director, Megan Corrado - Director of Policy & Advocacy, Nick Zuroski - Manager for Communications, Campaigns, and Policy

Publication date: April 2022

Abstract: Climate change, violent conflict, and fragility are compounding crises and pose severe risk to global peace and security. Climate change in conflict affected and fragile states undermines a country’s ability to adapt, mitigate, and address climate risk and climatic hazards. The U.S. government and other donor climate change strategies are increasingly calling for more conflict prevention and peacebuilding integration. While great progress, donors will have to ensure robust implementation.  

Recommendations:

1     Create shared language between the climate and conflict prevention sectors.

2    Ensure robust integration of climate and conflict prevention sectors and programming.

3     Integrate a human-rights based conflict prevention approach

4     Ensure integration of conflict prevention and climate action is locally-led.

5     Rethink budgeting and funding processes behind conflict prevention and climate action.

6 Work closely with multilateral institutions.

7 Require the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive, measurable plan to reduce its carbon footprint and undertake environmental impact studies.