GCTF Initiative on Addressing the Nexus Between Climate Change and Violent Extremism

The first virtual workshop of the Initiative has two primary purposes: first, to introduce the initiative, and then second, to start the discussion on what is the current evidence on the nexus between climate fragility and vulnerability to violent extremism conducive to terrorism. It will bring a variety of actors: multilateral donors and agencies, national governments, INGOs, local civil society, think tanks and academia.

Background
Climate change threatens the security and livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. In several regions around the world, the effects of climate change intersect with threats from violent extremism. Climate crises and fragility have led to loss of livelihoods, resource competition, conflict, and displacement, which create vulnerabilities that are exploited by violent extremist groups. For countries with predominantly agrarian economies and labour markets, climate change is an unprecedented threat multiplier and a significant challenge to governance. The nexus between peace, security, and climate change has been a growing matter of international concern. The relationship between climate change and violent extremism has also been under scrutiny, as climate change seems to exacerbate some of the known drivers of violent extremism conducive to terrorism. While plausible, this nexus lacks adequate recognition among policymakers, leading to insufficient responses. Even more blurred is the relationship between building community resilience against violent extremism and addressing climate change. While reports suggest that climate change impacts peoples’ decision-making in some contexts, for example, the decision to join violent extremist and terrorist groups, this linkage may be too simplistic and lacks the evidence and depth that the topic merits. This GCTF Initiative, led by Germany and Kenya, and implemented by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) will develop a GCTF Framework Document on climate change and P/CVE by collating and discussing diverse experiences and research findings/ evidence based research to increase understanding of links between climate and P/CVE, determing gaps and proposing policy responses to this challenge. It will also create a network and knowledge hub of stakeholders in P/CVE/ counterterrorism and climate action. This initiative will bring together multidisciplinary actors working across environmental, humanitarian and conflict sectors to discuss guiding questions. Participants will include representatives from conflictaffected communities, local civil society organizations (CSOs), local and national governments, experts, academics, the private sector, the UN and other multilateral entities.

Purpose
The first virtual workshop of the Initiative has two primary purposes: first, to introduce the initiative, and then second, to start the discussion on what is the current evidence on the nexus between climate fragility and vulnerability to violent extremism conducive to terrorism. It will bring a variety of actors: multilateral donors and agencies, national governments, INGOs, local civil society, think tanks and academia.

Agenda:

08:30 – 08:35 Opening remarks by the Initiative Co-Chairs (5 minutes)

• Dr Rosalind Nyawira, Director, National Counter Terrorism Centre – Kenya

08:35 – 09:15 Panel Discussion: The nexus between climate change and violent extremism (40 minutes)
Moderator: Dr Khalid Koser, Executive Director, GCERF

• Mr Serge Stroobants, Director Europe & MENA region, Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) – TBC
• Ms Jodie Wrigley, Visiting Fellow, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT)  - TBC
• Mr Nene Odjidja, Performance and Impact Specialist, GCERF
• Ms Manuela Brunero, Programme Management Officer, UNICRI - TBC

09:15 – 09:50 Plenary Discussion: The nexus between climate change and violent extremism (35 minutes)
Moderator: Mr Richard Danziger, Chair of the GCERF Independent Review Panel

09:50 – 10:00 Wrap-up (5 minutes)

• Dr Andre Alves dos Reis, Performance and Impact Manager, GCERF