3 June 2025
The impact of climate change on communities around the world cannot be understated. Resulting in resource competition, conflict, and displacement, climate change creates instabilities which may be exploited by terrorist groups to further nefarious agendas and challenge governance.
However, the possible links between climate change and violent extremism conducive to terrorism lacks adequate recognition among policymakers, in turn leading to insufficient responses. To better understand this connection, the Initiative on Addressing the Nexus Between Climate Change and Violent Extremism conducive to terrorism was created. Led by Germany and Kenya with the support of implementing partner, the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, the Initiative aims to increase understanding of the possible relationship between peace, security, and climate change.
Following several virtual workshops in which relevant insights were gathered, the Initiative consolidated a preliminary Working Paper on this nexus. Most recently, the Leads convened another virtual workshop which brought together representatives from governments, civil society organizations, experts, and other key stakeholders to review the Working Paper more in-depth.
The session served as a platform to gather further input and identify additional elements to support the finalization of the Working Paper into a GCTF Framework Document. The product of collating diverse experiences, research findings, and evidence-based research, the Framework Document is poised to be a key resource on climate change and preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism.
Under the leadership of Germany and Kenya, the Initiative on Addressing the Nexus Between Climate Change and Violent Extremism conducive to terrorism has mobilized several key actors and stakeholders to deepen the understanding of these possible links. In addition to a Framework Document, the Iniative will also create a network and knowledge hub of stakeholders relevant to the subject matter.