Although water is an essential input for agriculture and industrial production, it is also scarce in many regions. When it crosses international borders via shared rivers, lakes and aquifers, it can become a source of conflict and contention. Yet while water can be a source of instability, especially in the face of climate change, it can also be a source or catalyst for cooperation and even peace.

Whilst a growing number of studies are appearing that analyse the statistical relationship between climate change and violent conflict, the implications for policy makers often remain unclear. This article points out what quantitative analyses can tell us about climate change and conflict and highlights their limitations.

Policies to protect the environment or mitigate the negative effects of climate change can have unintended negative consequences for local communities and lead to conflicts over the use of natural resources and the focus of local development policies. In a new series of case studies, the ECC Factbook analyses conflicts in connection with conservation projects.

The latest additions to the ECC Factbook include a general overview of the origins and consequences of recent global food price crises, a series of specific case studies in selected MENA countries, and a discussion of possible policy solutions.

The Syrian crisis and the multi-year drought that preceded it have become emblematic of contemporary discussions about the possible security implications of climate change.

Scholarly attention to the links between climate change and conflict has increased. But which places are analyzed most frequently by researchers, and what are the implications of their choices?

One fear of climate change is that more variable weather conditions will lead to violence and chaos in some places. But looking at it methodically, do erratic weather conditions actually lead to violent conflict and political instability? Not necessarily.

This paper reviews the empirical evidence of how economic, social, political, legal, environmental, demographic, and military-strategic factors influence the relationship between climate and security. Based on a review of more than 150 studies, this study identifies key recommendations that shape climate-security dynamics across the globe.

This report offers guidance for climate change adaptation programming in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

This paper presents a conceptual model of climate change and human mobility interactions. The model outlines possible pathways connecting climate hazards and climate adaptation with different modes of human mobility.

This report discusses the possible effects of climate change on issues at the core of European foreign, security, and development policy – livelihoods, food security, migration, and political stability in regions with close ties to Europe.

The study focuses on three different risks that are affected through climate-related water challenges: (1) livelihoods and food security, (2) political stability and violence, and (3) interstate conflict and cooperation.

This report sheds light on the possible effects of climate change on development and security in the Central Sahel, namely in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. It examines the interactions between climatic stresses, food security, and conflict risk, by highlighting the region’s key socio-economic and political conditions, and how these could shape future vulnerability to the effects of global warming.

This policy paper summarises the main findings from research conducted under CASCADES on the Central Sahel, covering Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. This research focused on key climate related challenges in the region, notably with regards to livelihoods, food security, human mobility and human security, including communal conflicts and violent extremism.

This report provides a brief overview of the quantitative literature on climate and conflict, discusses its main findings and draws key lessons for policymakers.

New report for policymakers provides an overview of the growing research on the links between climate change, security and peace. The synthesis identifies ten insights into climate-related security risks and lays the groundwork for the Global Climate Security Risk and Foresight Assessment, led by adelphi and PIK, launched at the Berlin Climate and Security Conference.