Resources: environment

From conflict to peacebuilding

S. Halle (ed.), 2009, From conflict to peacebuilding. The role of natural resources and the environment, UNEP

This report highlights that many conflicts are associated with the use, access and control of environmental resources, and this is the reason why integrating the environment and natural resources management into peacebuilding is essential. In fact, demand on resources is going to grow given that the world population is going to rise.

The authors underline that often conflicts on natural resources emerge within a nation, and one of the roles of peacebuilding practitioners is to create space for and facilitate dialogues between parties. In this context, the environment can be a good platform to promote collaboration. Accordingly, natural resources often play a significant role in all the phases of the conflict cycle, being themselves a victim of conflict, but also a good way to promote peacebuilding.

This reports provides not only sound background information on the topic, but also numerous case studies (on the environment as a victim of conflicts, and as a tool for peacebuilding) which can be of use to practitioners. It also includes a series of recommendations to integrate the environment into peacebuilding and conflict prevention interventions.

© 2009 People and Development.