Mali: Combating Climate Change for Peace in Mali

Jan 13, 2026 | Tara Abhasakun
Peace News Network
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Mali is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change in the world. Between 1970 and 2020, the country experienced at least 40 major climate shocks, with drought affecting around 400,000 people each year and reducing crop revenues by US$9.5 million annually, according to the World Bank.In Mali, climate change is a major factor in conflict, according to an August 2025 report by the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). Due to the degradation of grazing lands from declining soil fertility, the report says, farmers are expanding their cultivation into traditional herding routes. This has led to violent conflicts between farmers and herders. In order to recruit more members, violent extremist groups have exploited these conflicts, taking advantage of ethnic and religious differences and land rights. Young people are particularly vulnerable to falling prey to extremist groups in this context.