Climate, Peace, & Security
Climate change affects us all, no matter where we live, but it is particularly devastating for fragile countries and communities facing conflict or humanitarian crises.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Quote (2021) by UN Department of Global Communicationsthe United Nations
Remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at Security Council debate on "Security in the Context of Terrorism and Climate Change".
Climate change is a growing threat to peace and security
Climate change does not directly cause conflict – it is a threat multiplier. It intensifies underlying vulnerabilities and worsens existing grievances, including those related to gender inequality and other forms of marginalization.
As many as 70% of the countries most vulnerable to climate change are also the most politically and economically fragile. And many are dealing with ongoing conflict, which weakens the capacity of communities and institutions to adapt to environmental challenges.
Life in Iraq's marshlands (2017) by UNDP Iraqthe United Nations
In countries that are on the frontlines of multiple intersecting crises, the worsening impacts of climate change can exacerbate political uncertainty and difficult economic prospects, contributing to instability both within and beyond their borders.
Water collectors (2017) by ILO/Marcel Crozetthe United Nations
Climate change intensifies competition over land & water
As the planet warms, longer and more intense droughts are leading to soil erosion, dried-up grazing lands, and reduced crop yields. Floods and landslides are destroying agricultural lands and infrastructure. Water resources are growing increasingly scarce.
Adaptive farming in Mali (2015) by UNDPthe United Nations
In Mali, ongoing conflict has displaced over 800,000 people and recurring droughts and desertification are deepening the threat to lives and livelihoods. UNDP is supporting authorities in addressing these challenges through a combined approach of climate adaptation and conflict resolution.
By simultaneously combating land degradation and restoring land productivity, along with conflict resolution between farming and herding communities for water resources, local communities will be less vulnerable to the impact of conflict.
Water collection in Colombia (2023) by UNDP Colombia/Andrés Estefanthe United Nations
The climate crisis is a water crisis
Climate change is exacerbating both water scarcity and water-related hazards, such as floods and droughts, as rising temperatures disrupt precipitation patterns and the entire water cycle.
Freshwater resources have dropped by 20%
In the past two decades, freshwater resources per person have dropped by 20% and today 2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries. Increased water stress can cause social unrest and spark conflicts over needs for freshwater for agriculture, aquaculture, and hydropower.
Starving cow (2022) by UNEP/Nayim Ahmed Yussufthe United Nations
Climate change affects food production & drives up hunger
When climate disasters damage farmland and coastal fisheries, food suffers. Diminished food production can lead to higher food prices and higher rates of hunger, which combined with existing inequalities and political and social exclusion, can lead to unrest.
Displaced Darfuris Farm in Rainy Season (2011) by UN Photo/Albert Gonzalez Farranthe United Nations
Climate & conflict exacerbate the global food crisis
As many as 783 million people are facing chronic hunger today. A global temperature increase of 2°C would push an additional 189 million people into hunger. With an increase of 4°C, this figure could rise to a staggering 1.8 billion people.
Climate change is causing more extreme weather events
Climate change is causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events resulting in widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people.
Protecting lives and livelihoods with early warnings systems
Early warning systems to predict floods, droughts, and storms, for instance, are a proven, efficient, and cost-effective way to save lives and jobs, land and infrastructure, and support long-term sustainability.
Desertification in Afghanistan by UNAMA/Shamsuddin Hamedithe United Nations
Protecting lives and livelihoods with early warnings systems
In Afghanistan, conflicts have destroyed disaster risk reduction infrastructure, leaving the population increasingly vulnerable. A Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems initiative is working to strengthen climate resilience for the Afghan people.
Climate disasters displace 20 million people each year
Without immediate and accelerated climate action to significantly reduce the risk of disasters, by 2050, 200 million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance annually due to climate change.
Safe & sustainable solutions are becoming harder to achieve
At the end of 2023, nearly half of forcibly displaced people were living in countries where they remained exposed to conflict along with climate-related hazards. As climate change worsens, finding solutions for displaced people are becoming increasingly difficult.
North Darfur IDP Camp Receives Over 8,000 Newly Displaced Residents (2014) by UNAMID/Albert Gonzalez Farranthe United Nations
Climate change increases poverty and inequalities
Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, forcing more into poverty. Climate impacts could push 135 million more people into poverty by 2030. The UN Secretary-General has called for more resources for developing countries to invest in sustainable development and climate action.
Multi stakeholder consultation on Gender-Responsive Climate Financing (2024) by UN Women/Emdadul Islamthe United Nations
Extremely fragile states receive far less climate finance
From 2014 to 2021, extremely fragile states received just $2.1 per person in climate finance, compared to $16.7 in non-fragile states. Climate-related security risks need to be mainstreamed into climate finance, so it can also be an investment in peace, security and stability.
Gender, climate and conflict
Existing inequalities, gender norms, and power dynamics leave women and girls disproportionately vulnerable at the intersection of conflict and climate.
mobile clinic (2024) by UNFPA / Julien Adamthe United Nations
Zambia endures the driest agricultural season in 40 years
As many lose livelihoods and struggle to put food on the table, more girls are reportedly dropping out of school, with fears they will be forcibly wed. UNFPA is helping to provide counselling to reduce the risk of teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence, including child marriage.
Combining climate action with conflict resolution in Yemen
Together with the UN and civil society, the local governments in Yemen are working to improve natural resource management and methods for preventing and resolving water-related conflict, while empowering women through their inclusion as conflict-resolution agents.
Sugarcane farmer in Yemen (2022) by FAO/Mahmood Mohammedthe United Nations
Efforts in Yemen have led to 1,200 families returning to farming, enhanced food security, and new opportunities for women's leadership in the community.
Climate action: for a healthier planet and lasting peace
The UN Secretary General’s New Agenda for Peace acknowledges that "those affected by conflict, bear the brunt of a crisis that they did not create” and urges governments to recognize the interlinkages between climate, peace and security as a political priority.
UN Women peace work in Jordan (2015) by UN Women/Christopher Herwigthe United Nations
Multilateral efforts must address the climate-security nexus
The only path to lasting peace is through finding solutions that integrate climate resilience into peacebuilding, foster sustainable development, and ensure that climate actions contribute to long-term stability and security.
#ActNow for a peaceful world on a healthy planet!
Every one of us can make choices to live every day in harmony with the environment and with each other. Join the global movement to take action and speak up for a more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful world for all.
Mother Nature
Learn more about the different ways climate change impacts the lives of women around the world in Mother Nature - an experiment created by Google Arts & Culture in collaboration with Earthrise and photojournalist Lynsey Addario, in support of the UN's ActNow campaign. Explore the data and the stories here.
To learn more about how the climate crisis impacts human security, visit the UN Climate Action website and take action for a peaceful and sustainable future for all with the UN's #ActNow Campaign
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