Conflict-sensitive business practice: Engineering contractors and their clients

Produced in partnership with Engineers Against Poverty, this guidance note examines some key issues related to conflict, contractors and conflict sensitivity, and introduces conflict-sensitive business practice.

Contractors operating in unstable states face a range of conflict risks.

Oil, gas and mining projects, which frequently have significant contractor involvement, can inadvertently trigger or sustain violence, or become the focus of resentment themselves. Large-scale infrastructure developments including major roads, bridges, dams and other energy generating projects can similarly lead to upheaval and tension and be the subject of social grievance.

Conflict-sensitive business practice (CSBP) provides steps through which these issues can be understood and managed.