Environment of Peace: Securing a just and peaceful transition in a new era of risk

SIDE EVENT
Friday 3 June
17:15-18:30 CEST
Stockholmsmässan, Room 1

Organizers: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's Environment of Peace initiative

About: The much-needed transition to a lower-carbon, greener economy offers many opportunities to contribute to peace, but only if the risks of transition are understood and managed properly. These risks go from the global to the local, from geological competition over key resources to the success of local adaptation and conservation projects.

The panellists will reflect on the key security challenges of transition. They will discuss a range of issues highlighting the opportunities and challenges associated with mitigation, adaptation and conservation policies and programs. From international cooperation to, decarbonization and just transitions, from sourcing critical minerals to environmental peacebuilding, this panel discussion will focus on steps to support an environment of peace.

1. How can cooperation between governments, and between public and private actors contribute to a just and peaceful transition?

2. How have the impacts of climate change and efforts to make a green transition changed geopolitical considerations at the international and national policy levels?

3. What are the challenges we must overcome as we tackle the impacts of climate change and work to protect the world’s ecosystems?

4. What are compelling local examples where communities are successfully navigating those challenges?

5. What lessons should we be learning from these examples?

Moderator(s): Geoff Dabelko (Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University)

Panelists:

  • Margot Wallström (Environment of Peace Inititative)
  • Ann Linde (Foreign Minister of Sweden)
  • A.K. Abdul Momen (Foreign Minister of Bangladesh)
  • Carlos Manuel Rodríguez (Global Environment Facility)
  • Kehkashan Basu M.S.M. (Green Hope Foundation)
  • Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar (Klima Action Malaysia)
  • Gidon Bromberg (EcoPeace)

Contact person: Claire McAllister (claire.mcallister_at_sipri.org)

Event outcomes (Key transformative actions):

  • In order to minimise conflict risks, ensure a just and peaceful transition and thus bolster an Environment of Peace, UN member states, together with international institutions and multilateral funds should instantly address the growing need for (financial) compensation for loss and damage caused by environmental and climate changes in the most vulnerable regions and communities.
  • Recognizing the importance of grassroot actions to address environmental challenges and to build more resilient communities, national and local governments must deliberately include all citizens and stakeholders in a meaningful way; and, together with international partners and multilateral funds, ensure local level access to adequate climate and environmental finance.
  • Governments, together with civil society and affected community representatives should strengthen cooperation across regions and communities in addressing shared environmental challenges. For that, education and information on sustainable development and the links between environmental deterioration and potentially emergent security risks play a central role.

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