Cultivating Common Ground on Climate, Peace and Security
Publisher: Peace and Security Council Report
Date: 2025
Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Causes, Conflict Prevention, Governance
Countries: Kenya
The 774th meeting of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) in 2018 discussed the link between climate change as a ‘threat multiplier’ and conflicts in Africa. Formal and informal PSC meetings and consultations have prioritised and explored evidence-based solutions to climate-security threats. Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Council asked the African Union Commission (AUC) to conduct a study into the nexus of climate change and peace and security.
Climate change is a pervasive threat multiplier, amplifying weather events' severity and exacerbating vulnerabilities. It poses a risk to human security in Africa due to the intricate links between climate stressors and socioeconomic, environmental and political pathways. This interplay is complex, nonlinear and often unpredictable. The lack of data on climate-induced conflicts limits policymakers’ ability to create tools to mitigate and adapt to climate security risks.