CAF25 Background Paper: Integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies into peace operations and peacebuilding efforts

Climate change is increasingly affecting conflict dynamics and posing significant obstacles to building peace around the world.

This paper argues that the impact of climate change on already fragile countries, calls for a review of the UN’s climate security focus. Peace operations should use climate security to engage with communities and national actors in ways that help prevent and mitigate conflict. Doing so requires greater coherence with UN country teams, ensuring that political, security, and development efforts are mutually reinforcing. It also calls for deeper collaboration with regional organizations, whose proximity and contextual knowledge can strengthen climate-sensitive peace initiatives.

This paper is authored by Anna Naa Adochoo Mensah, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC). She is an International Humanitarian Law
and Gender Rights lecturer. Her research focus includes: Conflict Resolution in Africa, Protection of women and children in armed conflicts, Gender implications in violent extremism, Gender mainstreaming in peace support operations, climate, and maritime security. She is a member of the KAIPTC’s Peace Operations, Stabilisation and Peacebuilding Programme. She representedGhana in the 2024 International Visitor Leadership Programme on Women Leaders Promoting Peace and Security.