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Janani Vivekananda

Janani Vivekananda is Head of Programme Climate Diplomacy and Security at adelphi, where she specialises in climate change and peacebuilding. As a peacebuilding practitioner with a background in peace and disaster risk reduction field research and operations, the aim of her work is to connect ground realities with policy processes and vice versa to promote the linked goals of peace and climate action. Her work to-date involves designing and conducting participatory and inclusive research on climate-related security risks and responses, promoting risk informed responses, and increasing the capacity of governments and civil society to integrate climate and conflict risk into policies and field projects. Her particular interests and strengths lie in understanding the complexities of climate-, conflict- and natural-resource-related risks from a local contextual level and feeding these nuances into policy work. Janani holds master’s degrees from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and from the University of Oxford.

Articles

What does the IPCC report tell us about climate and conflict?

Whilst at first sight it may not seem explicitly so, the new IPCC report contains a lot of important findings on the links between climate change and conflict. They underline and confirm important lessons that have been emerging from recent research: climate change does contribute to increased conflict, but along indirect pathways and via intermediate factors such as governance. Adapting to and mitigating climate change can also play an important role in addressing many drivers of conflict and building peace.

Shoring Up Stability – Addressing climate and fragility risks in the Lake Chad region

Lake Chad is caught in a conflict trap. Violence between armed opposition groups – including the so-called ‘Islamic State West Africa Province’ and ‘Boko Haram’ – and state security forces has left 10.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Climate change is compounding these challenges. This report identifies key risks and proposes pragmatic solutions to shore up stability in the region.

Publications

Weathering Risk Climate Security Risk Assessment Methodology - Guide and Tools

Weathering Risk Climate Security Risk Assessment Methodology - Guide and Tools

Weathering Risk Climate Security Risk Assessment Methodology - Guide and Tools

The methodology and guidance was developed to facilitate risk-informed planning, enhance capacity for action and improve operational responses that promote climate resilience and peace. Based on two years of field testing through over twelve Weathering Risk assessments on the ground.

Synthesis 3_Climate Security in 3D.png

Synthesis: Climate Security in 3D

Synthesis 3_Climate Security in 3D.png

To advance joint, cross-government, cross-border, and cross-discipline approaches needed to effectively address climate-related security risks and to strengthen the community of practice adelphi and Wilton Park hosted a three-part event series on “Climate Security in 3D: Diplomacy, Development, and Defence.”

Weathering risk methodology paper_thumbnail

Weathering Risk – Methodology Paper

Weathering risk methodology paper_thumbnail

The new and unique Weathering Risk Methodology provides decision-makers and practitioners across all sectors with a comprehensive and scalable research approach for climate-related security risks.

Cover Factsheet Sahel

Climate-Fragility Risk Factsheet: The Sahel

Cover Factsheet Sahel

The Sahel has been identified as one of the regions where climate change is most likely to undermine security and trigger violent conflict. This factsheet outlines the key climate security risks facing the region, scope for institutional response – with a focus on UN and African Union (AU) peace operations, and priority entry points for action.

Climate change and security: A short Q&A

This overview explains why climate change is a matter of concern for international peace and security and how the UN system should deal with climate-related security risks. It poses and answers seven questions.

Climate change, conflict and humanitarian action

Exploring the relationship between humanitarian action, conflict, climate and environment has never been more urgent. The prospects for the future show no abatement, with climate change only projected to increase the number and intensity of catastrophes.

Climate change, conflict and crisis in Lake Chad

Today, the Lake Chad region is best known for armed conflict, Boko Haram and one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. According to Janani Vivekananda, Senior Adviser for Climate Change and Peacebuilding at adelphi, climate change plays a very real role in exacerbating and prolonging the crisis.

A Foreign Policy Perspective On The Sustainable Development Goals

This paper maps out the relevance of the SDGs to foreign policy. Taking the six SDGs under review at the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in 2018 as entry points, we analyse how progress on specific SDGs may support or undermine progress on foreign policy priorities, especially SDG 16: peace.

Lake Chad Region - Climate related security risk assessment

Lake Chad Region – Climate-related security risk assessment

Lake Chad Region - Climate related security risk assessment

The Lake Chad region is currently facing multiple security risks, including livelihood insecurity, climate change and violent conflicts. In this report, the Expert Working Group on Climate-Related Security Risks provides a climate-related security risk assessment and options for climate risk management strategies in the Lake Chad region.

Coastal Megacities vs. the Sea: Climate and Security in Urban Spaces

Cities are on the sharp end of a range of risks from criminal violence, terrorism and war to demographic pressures, to climate and environmental change. Coastal megacities are especially at risk given the specific impacts of climate change they face, including accelerated global sea-level rise, increased storm frequency and severity, and destruction to critical infrastructure.

Podcast Appearance