10 March 2026
Climate change remains a significant threat to millions worldwide, affecting weather patterns, food security, and human health. In some regions, the impacts of climate change and fragility can also act as a serious challenge to governance, creating instabilities which terrorist groups may capitalize on.
To investigate the potential links between climate change and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, the Initiative on Addressing the Nexus Between Climate Change and Violent Extremism plays a key role in assessing realities on the ground, identifying solutions, and bolstering resilience for the communities most affected.
Led by Germany and Kenya with the support of implementing partner, the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, the Initiative has held several virtual workshops to gather relevant insights and develop a draft GCTF Toolkit on Addressing the Nexus Between Climate Change and Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism. To gather feedback on this initial draft, the Leads convened a seventh virtual workshop which gathered representatives from conflict-affected communities, civil society organizations, governments, and other key stakeholders.
The workshop allowed participants to offer input, identify additional elements, and support the finalization of the draft toolkit. Planned to be launched later this year, the toolkit is intended to be the collation of diverse experiences and evidence-based research, greatly advancing the understanding of climate change and preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism.
The Initiative, under the Germany-Kenya mandate, continues to gather relevant insights and information from important actors and stakeholders to promote discussion around the nexus.