Strengthen National and Regional Approaches to Address Climate-Related Security and Violent Extremism Risks

In May 2024, thanks to the generous contribution of the Government of Germany, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) launched a new project aimed at addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change and violent extremism in the Sahel. The project, titled "Strengthen National and Regional Approaches to Address Climate-Related Security and Violent Extremism Risks," is conducted in partnership with the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). This initiative seeks to develop and improve strategies and policies at both national and regional levels to address the security risks posed by climate change and violent extremism in the Sahel.  

Aligned with the objectives set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – specifically Goal 13 on Climate Action and Goal 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – the project aims to:

• Develop and disseminate a robust, context-specific climate security and violent extremism risk assessment methodology focused on West Africa and the Sahel.
• Enhance understanding and awareness among key national and regional stakeholders about the risks associated with climate change and violent extremism, ultimately contributing to sustainable peace and security in the region.
• Foster ownership and enhance collaboration among local, national, regional, and international stakeholders to create unified, context-specific approaches to addressing climate security and violent extremism.

Background

UNICRI has worked in the Sahel in the field of PVE since 2015. This project builds on recommendations from UNICRI’s previous research, particularly the 2022 report "Perceptions of Climate Change and Violent Extremism: Listening to Local Communities in Chad". This report highlights that the main productive activities in Chad — farming, herding, and fishing — are suffering from the effects of climate change, leading to increased economic and survival pressures within communities. This competition for ever-shrinking resources has resulted in increased conflict within and between communities, causing a breakdown in social cohesion that has been exploited by violent extremist groups for recruitment and propaganda purposes.

The report recommends that future PVE interventions in the Sahel consider cross-cutting and context-specific climate-related challenges and security risks. It emphasizes the need to understand gender-specific vulnerabilities and invest in women's inclusion and empowerment.

Therefore, this project aims to address these vulnerabilities by providing tools for a nuanced understanding of these risks and promoting collaborative, sustainable solutions. This project also supports the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, as outlined by UN Security Council Resolution 1325, by recognizing the gender-specific impacts of climate change and violent extremism. It promotes the active participation of women and integrates gender perspectives through gender mainstreaming into all activities.

Main Activities

• Methodology Design Workshop

UNICRI, in cooperation with UNOWAS, will organize a three-day regional workshop in Dakar, Senegal, in July 2024 to support the design of this context-specific methodology by incorporating local perspectives. This Design Workshop will include approximately 30 key stakeholders such as representatives from UN Country Offices, UN agencies, experts in climate and security and PVE, local communities, women and youth groups, and civil society organizations. The workshop's aim will be for participants to play an active role in the design of the risk assessment methodology by sharing local knowledge, existing needs and challenges, as well as integrating youth and gender perspectives.

• Methodology Finalization & Dissemination

Based on the results of the Design Workshop, UNICRI will develop an action-oriented and gender-sensitive methodology for assessing climate security and violent extremism risks incorporating qualitative, quantitative, and scenario-based foresight methods. The methodology will be widely disseminated through various communication channels and presented at international workshops and conferences to ensure broad awareness and adoption.

• National Validation Workshop in Mauritania

In late 2024, UNICRI will hold a workshop in Nouakchott, Mauritania, to present the methodology to national stakeholders, including authorities, universities, think tanks, civil society organizations, and other UN agencies. The workshop aims to discuss the utilization and tailoring of the methodology to the Mauritanian context, integrate it into policy frameworks, and validate the methodology with input from relevant stakeholders to ensure local ownership.

Related News & Publications

This section will feature relevant articles, press releases, and news updates about the project's progress and activities. Stay tuned for more information as the project unfolds.