Issue #244 – May 16, 2023

Announcements

Survey: Themes for the Third International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding (Deadline: May 24, 2023)

May 16, 2023 | Environmental Peacebuilding Association

The Environmental Peacebuilding Association is starting to plan for the Third International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding, which will be in The Hague, Netherlands in June 2024.

Call for Submissions: Special Issue on "Education for Well-Being and Sustainability: The Role of 21st Century Skills for Informed, Responsible and Active Citizenship"

May 15, 2023 | MDPI

Recently, UNESCO published their framework for education for sustainable development 2030 in the coming decade.

Book Series Launch: "Studies in War, Conflict and the Environment"

May 15, 2023 | Leiden University Press

War is not just a humanitarian crisis; it has critical environmental implications as well.

Thematic Report to the 78th session of the UN General Assembly: "The Rights to Water and Sanitation as a Tool for Peace, Prevention and Cooperation"

May 3, 2023 | United Nations

Over half the world's population depends on transboundary aquatic ecosystems, making their management critical for global peace and security.

Events

For more upcoming events on environmental peacebuilding, please visit our online calendar of events.

3rd Annual Conference on Environmental Conflict and Cooperation (CECC)

June 1, 2023 - 2023-06-02 Helen Diller Institute, UC Berkeley Law School
Berkeley, California and online

Environmental scholars, professionals, and activists are invited to participate in the 3rd Annual International Conference on Environmental Conflict and Cooperation (CECC), June 1-2 ,2023, at UC Berkeley.

Climate Adaptation, Transboundary Water Management, and Political Stability in the Middle East

May 25, 2023 - 2023-05-26 CASCADES
Istanbul, Turkey

The effects of climate change on water supply, food security, migration, and political stability are becoming evident in the Middle East.

Extended Dialogue on Forests, Livelihoods and Peace: The Role of the Donor (A "Path to The Hague" Event)

May 24, 2023 AHT GROUP and EnPAx Forest Interest Group
online

The Forest Interest Group of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association is holding bi-monthly meetings for the Extended Dialogue on Forests, Livelihoods and Peace.

Environmental Protection from Wartime Destruction: Exploring the Issues and Legal Frameworks

May 18, 2023 American Red Cross
online

The natural environment has long been disregarded as a victim of war. Recently, however, there has been momentum to increase environmental protection in armed conflict, both internationally and domestically.

EnPAx Spotlight: McKenzie F. Johnson

May 17, 2023 Environmental Peacebuilding Association
online

Our second EnPAx Spotlight event, featuring a distinguished guest speaker, McKenzie F.

Library

In the last two weeks, 12 new publications were added to our online library of materials on environmental peacebuilding. Here is a sampling of the new additions:

Impact of Climate Change on Distribution of Common Leopard (Panthera pardus) and Its Implication on Conservation and Conflict in Nepal

January 1, 2023 | Kedar Barala, Binaya Adhikari, Shivish Bhandarie, Ripu M. Kunwarf, Hari P. Sharma, Achyut Aryal, and Weihong Ji
Heliyon Journal

Climate change is projected to create alterations in species distributions over the planet.

Enhancing the Conflict Sensitivity of National Adaptation Plans

January 1, 2023 | Karen Meijer and Elise Remling
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

With climate change potentially influencing conflict risks, addressing conflict considerations in national adaptation plans (NAPs) may help facilitate the design of conflict-sensitive measures that do not exacerbate, and ideally reduce, said risks.

Rebuilding Ukraine Principles for a Green Post-War Reconstruction

January 1, 2023 | Iryna Holovko and Constanze Haug
adelphi

Ukraine is currently fighting an existential war, suffering immense human, economic and environmental loss.

International Water Law and Hydropolitics: An Enquiry Into the Water Conflict Between India and Nepal

January 1, 2023 | Harsh Vasani
Water International

Despite an open border, shared culture, religious ties and strong people-to-people connectivity, governance of transboundary water resources has often led to diplomatic conflicts between India and Nepal.

Five Urgent Questions on Ecological Security

January 1, 2023 | Dan Smith and Rod Schoonover
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

The increasing pressure of ecological disruption on people and on security means that ideas and policy on peace and security must increasingly address the need for ecological security.

Addressing Climate Security Issues in Central America

January 1, 2023 | Cynthia Brady and Lauren Risi
Environmental Change and Security Program (Wilson Center)

Since 2017, the Wilson Center and its partners, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), have coordinated on developing a framework to improve predictive capabilities for…

Rise or Recede? How Climate Disasters Affect Armed Conflict Intensity

January 1, 2023 | Tobias Ide
International Security

Disasters play a key role in debates about climate change, environmental stress, and security. A qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) investigates how major climate-related disasters shape the dynamics of ongoing armed conflicts.

Absorbing Climate Shocks and Easing Conflict in Kenya’s Rift Valley

January 1, 2023
International Crisis Group

A series of failed rainy seasons in northern Kenya has sharpened competition among herders, farmers and conservancy owners for land and water, often resulting in bloodshed.

M&E Insights Episode 3: Conflict-Sensitive M&E (with Janet Edmond and Fernando Guerra) [Video]

January 1, 2023
Environmental Law Institute and Environmental Peacebuilding Association

In this video, Janet Edmond and Fernando Guerra share their experience and learning related to conflict-sensitive monitoring and evaluation.

M&E Insights Episode 2: Transboundary Cooperation on Water in Fragile Contexts (with Eric Abitbol) [Video]

January 1, 2023
Environmental Law Institute and Environmental Peacebuilding Association

In this video, Eric Abitbol shares his experience and learning related to evaluating transboundary water cooperation in fragile settings.

Indexing Climatic and Environmental Exposure of Refugee Camps with a Case Study in East Africa

January 1, 2023 | Michael Owen, Andrew Kruczkiewicz, and Jamon Van Den Hoek
Nature Scientific Reports

This study presents a novel approach to systematically measure climatic and environmental exposure in refugee camps using remote sensing and geospatial data.

Global Report on Food Crises 2023

January 1, 2023
Food Security Information Network

The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) for 2023 highlights that the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity and requiring urgent food and livelihood assistance is on the rise.

Jobs

Please visit our jobs page to view these positions and other job opportunities.

Kenya: Programme Management Officer (Temporary Job Opening)

May 15, 2023 | United Nations Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa

The Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (OSE-Horn of Africa) is mandated to support the region in sustaining gains in peace and security, supporting the Intergovernmental Authority on Development…

United Kingdom: Junior Researcher x2

May 12, 2023 | Conflict and Environment Observatory

Since February 2022, CEOBS has been developing and maintaining a database of environmentally harmful incidents associated with the invasion of Ukraine.

United Kingdom: Water as a Contested Space: Developing a Framework for Conflict Resolution in the Regulation and Governance of Water in Wales - PhD

May 9, 2023 | Swansea University

This PhD will explore law, policy and governance in the context of the water environment in Wales, which is under rapidly increasing threat on a number of fronts, not least climate change.

Occupied Palestinian Territory: MEAL Officer

May 9, 2023 | EcoPeace Middle East

EcoPalestine is the Palestinian affiliate of EcoPeace Middle East, a unique organization that brings together Jordanian, Palestinian, and Israeli environmentalists.

United Kingdom: Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow Climate adaptation in Fragile and Conflict Affected States Global Risks and Resilience

May 9, 2023 | Overseas Development Institute

ODI is an independent, global think tank. ODI works to inspire people to act on injustice and inequality. Through research, convening and influencing, it generates ideas that matter for people and planet.

South Sudan: Consultant - Climate Security and Peacebuilding Officer

May 9, 2023 | International Organization for Migration

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.

International News

In the last two weeks, 20 international news items on environmental peacebuilding were posted on our website. The following is a sampling:

Liberia: Gov’t Clears Export of US$4M ‘Illegal Logs’

January 17, 2023 | William Q. Harmon, Observer

The government of Liberia will finally give Renaissance Group Incorporated, a controversial logging company, the green light on January 28, to go ahead with the export of illegally harvested round logs valued at…

DRC/UAE: DR Congo and UAE Join Forces against Illicit Gold

January 16, 2023 | Brussels Times with Belga

A joint venture created by a new partnership between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a view to ending the illicit movement of precious metals from…

Afghanistan: Badghis Herdsmen Seek Help after Losing Animals to Cold

January 15, 2023 | Mohammad Arif Hasrat, Pajhwok Afghan News

Cattle farmers in western Badghis province say extreme cold has killed some of their animals and if not assisted immediately by the government, they may suffer more losses.

Afghanistan: Nimroz Underground Water Depletion Worries Farmers

January 15, 2023 | Shaima Sediqi, Pajhwok Afghan News

The residents of southwestern Nimroz province have complained against the groundwater depletion, while local officials have say steps had been taken to address it.

Aishwarya Sharma: First Indian Fashion Activist & Climate Advocate At COP27 Demands Global Collective Climate Action

January 13, 2023 | Outlook India

Aishwarya is also a global goals ambassador with the TogetherBand (United Nations) representing Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities of the 17 The Global Goals and a Goodwill Ambassador for Youth Of India.

Uganda: Cultural Leaders Petition Alupo Over Emorimor

January 12, 2023 | Simon P. Emwamu, Monitor

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has started the mediation process between two warring factions of the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) over who will become the next Emorimor.

Bolivia: Landmark Global Biodiversity Agreement Enshrines Rights of Indigenous Peoples—Providing Hope for Bolivia’s Guarani

January 11, 2023 | Juana Vera-Delgado

After more than four years of negotiations, on Dec.

This Month in ESG: COP15 and EU Gender Balance Laws

January 11, 2023 | Terence Jeyaretnam, Pro Bono Australia

Nothing slowed down in ESG during the last month of the year, with events, new laws and a raft of government announcements, write Terence Jeyaretnam.

Liberia: Communities Affected by Commercial Logging in Liberia Demand Payment of Their Land Rental Fees

January 6, 2023 | Joel Cholo Brooks, Global News Network

Representatives of Communities affected by commercial logging in Liberia are calling on the Government of Liberia through the National Legislators to ensure that the communities’ land rental fees arrears are appropriated in the…

Afghanistan: Afghanistan's Taliban Administration in Oil Extraction Deal with Chinese Company

January 5, 2023 | Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Reuters

Afghanistan's Taliban-led administration is to sign a contract with a Chinese company to extract oil from the Amu Darya basin in the country's north, the acting mining minister said on Thursday.

Blogs & Opinion

In the last two weeks, 5 blogs & opinion pieces on environmental peacebuilding were posted on our website.

How Satellite Prevented a War for Water

May 11, 2023 | Robert Bell

Have you ever been really, really thirsty? Not just dry-mouthed in the middle of the night or longing for a cold drink after an afternoon in the sun. But truly parched?

Is the Water War Imminent?

May 9, 2023 | M. A. Hossain

With the world’s population increasing and climate change worsening water scarcity, the likelihood of a global water war grows.

Towards an Acceptable Accounting of Ukraine’s Post-War Environmental Damages

May 9, 2023 | Andriy Demydenko and Eugene Stakhiv

The Russian war has caused enormous environmental damage to Ukraine. How to estimate this damage in order to calculate the cost of recovery and reparations for the victims?

Equitable Resource Governance Helps Build Peace

May 9, 2023 | Karol Boudreaux and Daniel Abrahams

Across the Sahel, growing tensions between farmers and herders are more frequently spilling over into deadly clashes.

The Environmental Legacy of Explosive Remnants of War

April 20, 2023 | Linsey Cottrell and Kristin Holme

The damage caused by armed conflicts extends beyond that caused by the fighting itself and weapons used.

Join the Association

The Environmental Peacebuilding Association® (EnPAx®) is the leading global network that brings together practitioners, researchers, and decision makers working on environment, conflict, and peace. EnPAx includes both individual and institutional members. If you have any questions regarding membership, please contact us at membership@environmentalpeacebuilding.org.

Sharing and Posting Materials

The strength of the knowledge platform depends on submissions and suggestions on contents from users. To share publications and information on events, job opportunities, and other announcements, please contact share@environmentalpeacebuilding.org. Please also feel free to share ideas on how the platform can be further improved to meet your needs.

About Our Community of Practice

Environmental Peacebuilding is a knowledge platform and global community of practice on natural resources, conflict, and peace, hosted by the Environmental Peacebuilding Association. The platform unites a global network of researchers, practitioners, and decision makers in sharing experiences and lessons from managing natural resources in fragile states and conflict-affected settings. The platform also helps people to access new publications on the topic, conduct new research, and participate in events to support the growth of the field. As part of our Community of Practice, we bring you biweekly updates on recent developments, including news about our program as well as links to new publications, upcoming conferences and events, and job openings.

Please visit us at www.environmentalpeacebuilding.org for more information.

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