"Integrating environmental management and natural resources into peacebuilding is no longer an option – it is a security imperative." This is the main argument of the new report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) "From Conflict to Peacebuilding – The Role of Natural Resources and the Environment." The report was launched at UNEP’s Governing Council in Nairobi on February 20, 2009.

Through 14 case studies, the report outlines different roles environmental affairs and natural resources could assume in conflicts. In the case of Darfur, scarcity of fertile land and water contributed to the conflict, while in the case of Sierra Leone and Angola, diamonds were used to finance war efforts. Kosovo, Afghanistan, Gaza and the West Bank reveal how the environment is impacted by armed conflict.

Within the report, emphasis is also laid on the role of environment and resources for peacebuilding and reconstruction: The case of Rwanda exemplifies how tourism and biodiversity conservation could be used for job creation and income generation. The frontier area between Peru and Ecuador has become a jointly managed nature reserve – a Peace Park – with the aim of building confidence and defusing tensions between the two states.

Aside from further improving early warning capacities, another main recommendation of the report is to improve oversight and protection of natural resources during conflict. This should prevent environmental degradation and resource extraction from prolonging or reigniting conflicts. If enduring peace is to be achieved, then both the sustainable use of natural resources during reconstruction processes and fostering environmental cooperation have to be a priority. (Achim Maas)



The policy report is available at:

http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/pcdmb_policy_01.pdf


More information at http://postconflict.unep.ch/ and at

http://www.unep.org/conflictsanddisasters/Home/tabid/146/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Published in:ECC-Newsletter, February 2009