28 January 2025
Climate change and its effects include the loss of livelihoods, resource competition, and displacement. In certain regions, these effects create vulnerabilities that are exploited by violent extremist terrorist groups, further threatening the security and livelihoods of millions. This relationship between climate change and violent extremism conducive to terrorism requires further recognition by policymakers to determine to what extent the former impacts the latter.
Such is the mandate of the Initiative on Addressing the Nexus Between Climate Change and Violent Extremism. Led by Germany and Kenya with the support of implementing partner, the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, the Initiative seeks to create dialogue on the current evidence and approaches to the topic to determine relevant gaps and propose adequate policy responses.
To advance the conversation, the Leads held a virtual workshop which brought together governments, civil society organizations, academia, and other multidisciplinary actors. Building on the first and second workshops, this third workshop shifted the focus to Southeast Asia and West Africa, discussing how climate change can exacerbate vulnerabilities and intensify known drivers of violent extremism conducive to terrorism in those regions.
Under the Germany-Kenya mandate, the Initiative will develop a GCTF Framework Document on climate change and preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism by gathering diverse experiences, research findings, and evidence-based research. Set for endorsement at the 26th GCTF Coordinating Committee Meeting, the Framework Document will also create a network and knowledge hub of stakeholders relevant to the nexus between climate change and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.