Introduction
Climate change is considered to be one of the greatest global threats to peace and security in the 21st century. While there is no direct causal link between climate change and conflict, growing evidence suggests that climate-related risks can exacerbate conflict dynamics. Converging with other shocks and pressures to threaten the stability of states and societies, the impacts of climate change inhibit peace by undermining human security and increasing other drivers of conflict and fragility. Risks of instability will increase if institutions and governments are unable to absorb or manage climate-related stresses. This is why it is essential that interventions for peace and security are based on a comprehensive analysis of climate-related security risks and adopt an integrated framework. Conflict and climate sensitivity thereby contribute to sustainable adaptation and peacebuilding approaches.
With the ‘Sustaining Peace’ agenda, the UN Secretary-General has placed conflict prevention at the top of the agenda. The agenda reflects the recognition that conflict is fueled by a variety of overlapping factors, including climate change – a systemic complexity that is acknowledged by the international community. To this end, the United Nations is taking steps towards a long-term approach to sustaining peace; ensuring that climate security concerns are taken into account and mainstreamed across its analysis and peace-building progamming.
By combining mixed methodology webinars, entailing expert exposés and group work, participants will learn how to analyse climate-related security risks and adopt a climate-sensitive lens for peacebuilding programming. Based on a partnership between the think tank adelphi and UNSSC, the course will assist practitioners in identifying entry points for integrated climate adaptation and peacebuilding programming (e.g. natural resources access and management, climate resilient livelihoods, climate and conflict sensitive adaptation). The course will also elaborate on climate-sensitive approaches which help to advance social cohesion, gender equality, inclusive governance systems to overcome exclusion and marginalization.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this programme, participants will gain a first understanding of:
- The different methodologies, techniques and tools to analyse climate-related risks;
- The translation of climate and fragility risk assessments into integrated climate adaptation and peacebuilding programming;
- Priorities, entry points and change paths based on conflict- and climate-sensitive analyses;
- Participatory, gender- and conflict-sensitive methodologies and programmes, accounting for climate risks;
Course methodology
The course will be facilitated in line with adult-learning best practices. It will include plenary discussions, scenario building exercises in breakout group sessions, with emphasis placed on frank and interactive exchanges in a safe and inclusive environment to foster creativity, innovation and problem solving.
Target audience
United Nations staff from the Secretariat, agency, funds and programmes and partners working on sustaining peace, through political analysis, good offices, mediation and conflict-sensitive programming.
How to register:
Register here: https://bit.ly/3t179EY