Integrating Climate Change Into Peace Mediation – Why It Matters And How To Do It
Research has significantly advanced our understanding of the complex relationship between climate change and conflict, yet this knowledge is often unavailable or offers little practical value to peace mediators. This practice note sets out three reasons why it is in the interest of mediators to adopt a more proactive approach to climate change. It then outlines the opportunities climate change offers and how climate change considerations can be mainstreamed across mediation practice.
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Why climate change matters for peace mediation
- Climate change reshapes and drives conflict dynamics
In areas already affected by conflict, climate impacts can intensify or prolong violence, making it more difficult to achieve and sustain peace. An increasing number of analysts point to climate change as a driver of future conflicts by fuelling efforts by states to acquire new territories and critical minerals through political pressure or military force. Combined with a growing disregard for established international norms, this may render the multilateral system increasingly unable to prevent or contain confrontations. - Climate change and conflict overlap
Peace mediators operate in contexts that are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Greater alignment between peace and climate efforts can enhance coherence and sustainability — but requires careful attention to context to avoid conflating distinct objectives. For mediators, this underscores the importance of considering both climate and conflict risks in order to design context-sensitive and effective approaches. - Climate change (action) is political
Climate change impacts and action do not unfold in isolation. They are shaped by political, social and economic dynamics, and often reflect underlying patterns of governance, marginalisation and power. Without deliberate integration of and engagement with the conflict and peace realities on the ground, adaptation projects risk overlooking power dynamics, reinforcing grievances, or fuelling tensions between parties. This is where peace mediators can play a vital role. With deep contextual knowledge, experience navigating sensitive political spaces and trusted relationships with conflict parties and communities, they can help translate technical priorities into locally legitimate action. This prevents adaptation from inadvertently destabilising peace processes while ensuring that conflict and peacebuilding efforts do not undermine climate resilience.
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This description is extracted from the climate-diplomacy.org site, where it was originally published.
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