COP28: Why conflict matters for climate negotiations and finance
The annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, or Conference of the Parties (COP), is the biggest climate summit of the year. This year it takes place in the United Arab Emirates from 30 November to 12 December 2023.
COP28 will feature a thematic day on peace on 3 December, for the first time in the conference’s history. The day will feature a series of high-level events focused on accelerating climate finance in fragile contexts, while the UAE presidency will issue a declaration calling for an urgent increase in funding for communities affected by climate-related conflict.
This is a vital opportunity for international policy-makers to take critical steps on this urgent issue and a delegation from International Alert is attending COP28 to call for:
- increased access to climate finance for conflict-affected countries; and
- the introduction of robust measures to ensure such financing is conflict sensitive.
Below you can read our recommendations on making climate finance fit for a world in conflict as well as our latest research on the issue of climate and conflict.
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Making climate finance fit for a world in conflict
The countries hardest hit by climate emergencies are also those worst affected by conflict. We are calling for an increase in conflict-sensitive and inclusive climate finance and for climate finance in conflict-affected settings.
Climate security
70% of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries are at high risk of climate-related conflict. We outline five critical steps to addressing climate security risks based on 15 years of programming.
Fuelling conflict?
The rush to achieve net zero is driving massive global investments in renewable energy. But green energy projects can cause or exacerbate conflicts and tensions, especially in fragile areas.
