Climate change, environmental degradation, natural resource scarcity, conflict and peace are inextricably related. While everyone is feeling the effects of climate change, in a conflict context this is amplified. On the one hand, climate change and the resulting increased competition for scarce resources is a conflict driver, while at the same time people in conflict affected settings have less means to deal with climate change and build resilience. Action to mitigate and adapt to climate change is complicated by existing tensions and conflict dynamics. Conversely, climate change adaptation and mitigation may exacerbate or create tensions and conflict dynamics if the approach is not conflict-sensitive. Of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, 70%are also in a situation of, or at risk of conflict. Yet the distribution of climate finance is uneven, leaving many of the most exposed communities behind. At the policy level, COP 28 has for the first time a thematic day on relief, recovery and peace, which will lead to the launch of the UAE COP 28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace. This event aims to shed light on these interlinkages, discuss progress and momentum on the topic at COP 28, and the way forward.
