Climate change is now impacting every corner of the globe. In many regions, severe droughts and rising temperatures are leading to food insecurity and loss of livelihoods – threatening to reverse hard-won development gains. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, limited governance, political instability and violence leave communities particularly ill-equipped to cope with a changing climate. This in turn can compound existing tensions and exacerbate the complex emergencies we are witnessing today in the Sahel, the Middle East and Central America.
As this report outlines, climate change is already resulting in risks for the security of many millions around the globe. These risks disproportionately affect women and girls, who are key providers of food, water and energy, but have fewer resources with which to adapt to changing conditions. However, in some regions, the impacts of climate change are also leading to important socio-economic shifts that are transforming traditional gender norms around economic activity, decision-making and leadership. The report argues that such changes have the potential to open-up new spaces for more inclusive peace and development processes.
These gender dynamics are still relatively poorly understood at the international level – and they are generally lacking in climate-security policymaking and practice to date. This report fills a gap-inknowledge and offers a comprehensive, accessible framework to demonstrate how gender, climate and security are inextricably linked. It also highlights concrete ways to take advantage of these linkages to prevent conflict and foster lasting peace.
