Environmental Pathways for Reconciliation in Yemen: Consultation Report 2024
Publisher: European Institute of Peace
Author(s): Tània Ferré Garcia, Laura Geres, Suaad Al-Salahi, Hisham al-Omeisy, and Albert Martinez
Date: 2024
Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Causes, Dispute Resolution/Mediation, Governance, Livelihoods
Countries: Yemen
This report presents the results of an extensive consultation as part of EIP’s project, Environmental Pathways for Reconciliation in Yemen, which aims to support locally led and sustainable peace by using the environment as an entry point and key element of peacemaking. The project builds upon the findings of an initial consultation with 15,870 individuals facilitated through EIP in 2020–2021. It found that the environment ranks among the highest priorities of the local population when asked about urgent needs in the context of the search for peace and reconciliation,1 and demonstrated that environmental concerns offer an unexplored entry point for common peacemaking and reconciliation efforts in Yemen.
The consultation informing this report examined this environmental dimension of local grievances and conflict further by exploring Yemenis’ perceptions of environmental issues, their impact on peace and security, and the existing or potential environmental peacemaking solutions. It consisted of a survey conducted with a wide array of “ordinary” citizens whose views are often overlooked in political and peace efforts, as well as semi-structured focus group discussions and key informant interviews with influential individuals. Conducted during February and October of 2023, this extensive consultation reached a total of 2,463 people across the nine governorates of Aden, Taiz, Marib, Al-Mahra, Al-Hodeidah, Shabwah, Sana’a, Al-Dhale’e, and Hajjah.
This report reveals the multiple dimensions of environmental risks that Yemen is grappling with and their impact on its social fabric, human security, and conflict. The results also provided insights into the gaps and potential entry points when addressing these risks, including, with respect to peace and reconciliation.