This Topic Guide outlines the importance and complexity of the links between conflict, climate and environment. The Topic Guide focuses on violent conflict at the sub-national, national and trans-boundary level in relation to natural resources, climate variability, climate change and environmental change.

Key messages are outlined as:

climate change (natural and man-made) is already having an impact on conflict, security and fragility
climate change will continue to be a ‘risk multiplier’ of conflict, insecurity and fragility unless it is effectively embedded into the management of risk and building of resilience
what determines whether (or how) climate change will lead to conflict lies in the ‘intermediary factors’ which affect the relationship between climate and conflict
there is much that can be done to ensure that climate change does not lead to increased conflict, insecurity and fragility, even in the absence of downscaled climate forecasts at the sub-national level
taking account of the links between conflict, climate and environment is central to building resilience in an ever uncertain world
gaps in the evidence exist on how to achieve multiple wins

The Topic Guide concentrates on longer-term development objectives to build resilience, support adaptation, create peace and address underlying causes of vulnerability.