Exploring the nexus between climate insecurity and violent extremism

Ahead of taking up its seat on the United Nations Security Council, the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations in cooperation with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) hosted an expert-level briefing on 5 December 2024 entitled Climate Insecurity and Violent Extremism: From Data to Action. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the intersection of climate change and violent extremism, with a focus on actionable insights and community-driven approaches.

The event highlighted the increasing recognition of the compounded effects of climate change on global security. This is particularly evident in regions such as the Sahel, where environmental degradation exacerbates local conflicts, weakens social cohesion, and creates vulnerabilities that are exploited by violent extremist groups.

Discussions were anchored in prior UN research, including UNICRI's 2022 report, Perceptions of Climate Change and Violent Extremism, which underscored the role of climate-induced challenges - such as resource scarcity and livelihood disruptions - in fostering grievances that extremist groups manipulate for recruitment. The report emphasized the importance of gender-responsive interventions, recognizing women's inclusion and empowerment as vital to building resilience.

Event highlights
Opening remarks:
Ambassador Erik Laursen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN, and Leif Villadsen, Acting Director of UNICRI, set the stage by emphasizing the need for integrated approaches to address the dual challenges of climate insecurity and violent extremism.

Expert contributions

• Odhran McCarthy and Manuela Brunero (UNICRI) presented findings from the Sahel, detailing community perceptions of climate change and its links to violent extremism.
• Sian Hutchinson and Jodie Wrigley (UNOCT) explored how extremist narratives leverage climate stressors to fuel recruitment and propaganda.
• Barbra Lukunka (IOM) discussed community-based approaches to mitigating intercommunal conflicts in the Sahel, highlighting the role of migration dynamics.

Engaging dialogue
The event concluded with a Q&A session, during which experts provided insights and reflected on their research and action.

Key points raised, include:

1. Interdisciplinary approaches: Addressing climate insecurity requires collaboration across sectors, integrating climate resilience with peacebuilding and conflict prevention strategies.
2. Community perspectives: Local voices must guide interventions, ensuring that policies are context-specific and address community-level grievances.
3. Gender inclusivity: Women's participation in decision-making processes is crucial for sustainable peace and resilience.

Looking ahead
As climate change continues to shape the global security landscape, events like this briefing play a critical role in fostering evidence-based policymaking. By linking research to action, stakeholders can develop more effective strategies to address the interconnected challenges of climate insecurity and violent extremism.