The Arab region is facing the dual challenges of climate change and conflict. Ongoing conflicts and fragility exacerbate environmental degradation, limit resources for climate action and increase vulnerability to climate impacts. Climate impacts, on the other hand, can affect known drivers of insecurity and conflict such as loss of livelihoods and income, food insecurity, competition for resources, and migration. These compounding challenges could lead to a vicious cycle of climate vulnerability, insecurity and conflict unless addressed. Responding to such challenges is thus an imperative, but it is also a window of opportunity to promote peace and prosperity across the region. To this end, this report draws on the latest data with respect to fragility, climate change projections and security risks in the Arab region in order to provide a regional overview of climate security risks. This analysis is used to inform recommendations for policymakers, multilateral agencies and relevant stakeholders to mitigate climate security risks in the region. The report concludes that attention must be paid to inequities, the experiences of different population groups and the specificities of local contexts. The quality of governance and capacity of institutions play a key role in strengthening resilience and moderating the risk of tensions and insecurity. Importantly, integrated and cooperative approaches are vital to effectively address the nexus between climate change, peace and security.

55 p. : ill., graphs, tables