Since 1990, at least eighteen violent conflicts have been fuelled by the exploitation of natural resources, and many countries continue to face significant development challenges relating to the unsustainable use of natural resources and the allocation of natural wealth. Although environmental factors are rarely, if ever, the sole cause of violent conflict, the exploitation of natural resources and related environmental stresses can become significant drivers of violence.
Capitalizing on the shared need to manage natural resources for livelihoods, UNEP aims to:
- Use environmental cooperation to transform the risks of conflict over resources into opportunities for peace in war-torn societies; and
- Integrate environment and natural resources issues within the peacebuilding policies and strategies of the UN.
To help address the environmental dimensions of conflict and peacebuilding effectively, UNEP has developed a unique relationship with the UN Peacebuilding Commission and broadened its expertise and capacity by establishing an Expert Advisory Group on Environment, Conflict and Peacebuilding. The Group, composed of senior experts from academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and think tanks with demonstrated leadership in environment and conflict issues, provides independent expertise, develops tools and policy inputs, and identifies best practices for using natural resources and the environment in ways that contribute to peacebuilding and prevent relapse into conflict.
A joint product of UNEP and the Expert Advisory Group, the policy paper From Conflict to Peacebuilding: the Role of Natural Resources and the Environment summarizes the latest knowledge and field experience on the linkages between environment, conflict and peacebuilding, and recommends how those linkages can be addressed in a more coherent and systematic way by the UN, Member States and other stakeholders.
On the ground, UNEP has pioneered innovative approaches in Sudan, between Iran and Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran, and between the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel. In 2009, the UNEP will principally focus on countries on the Peacebuilding Commission’s agenda, including the Central African Republic and Sierra Leone.
In the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Eastern and South Eastern Europe, UNEP works together with ENVSEC partners to support countries in their efforts to manage environment and security risks through regional cooperation. The multi-stakeholder assessments and information exchange projects conducted by UNEP aim to identify common interests, improve mutual understanding, and build foundations for agreements on transboundary environmental management. In 2009, the ENVSEC partners are implementing over 50 projects in the four beneficiary regions, with a total budget of over USD 30 million.
For further information on Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding and related policy areas please see the Environmental Cooperation for Peacebuilding policy page.