UNDP.org September 1, 2023

Summary

• Climate security refers to the impacts of the climate crisis on peace and security, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
• Climate change impacts can trigger competition over natural resources, insecure livelihoods, and mass displacement, increasing the risk of social tensions and instability.
• Investing in climate action can be an opportunity to strengthen cooperation, rebuild trust, and mend the social fabric in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
• UNDP supports countries in fragile settings align responses to climate change with conflict prevention and peacebuilding actions.

What is climate security?

Climate security refers to the impacts of the climate crisis on peace and security, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Climate change can exacerbate food, water, and livelihood insecurity, with cascading effects such as increased competition over natural resources, social disruptions, and displacement. This can lead to increased tensions, conflict, and instability in a country or region.

In settings where conflict already exists, the impacts of climate change can aggravate or prolong it, making it more difficult to reach and sustain peace. Conflict can in turn disrupt or impede climate action, either through the active destruction of energy, water, and agricultural assets, or by delaying or blocking mitigation and adaptation interventions.

Why does climate security matter?

By 2030, climate change could push up to 130 million more people into poverty, not only exacerbating existing vulnerabilities, including food and water insecurity, but also socio-economic fragility, and political grievances. Within already fragile settings, these impacts can escalate security challenges and worsen instability. Furthermore, climate-related security risks often affect women at disproportionate levels.