A window into what we are reading at the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program

Food, Climate, and Conflict Nexus a Priority at the UN Security Council (Food and Agriculture Organization)

The United Nations Security Council’s High-Level Open Debate takes place in Guyana this week, and the signature event of that nation’s presidency is “The Impact of Climate Change and Food Insecurity on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security.” Several briefers have emphasized the interconnectedness between climate change and conflict, including Secretary-General António Guterres and UNFCCC Chair Simon Stiell.

In her remarks, Food and Agricultural Organization Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol emphasized this relationship, citing farmer-pastoralist conflict in West and Central Africa and water-based conflicts in Yemen. She also noted that the climate crisis impacts are particularly harsh for those who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods—especially rural farmers.

Bechdol outlined five actions to better address the climate/conflict nexus: investing in climate-resilient agri-food systems; regular analysis and reporting from the UN on risks and links associated with climate change; improving strategic coordination within existing mechanisms; and sourcing specialized climate, peace, and security advisor roles and regional hubs.

READ | New Research Reveals Climate-Food-Conflict Connection Via Nighttime Temperatures

The Climate Implications of Indonesia’s Election (New York Times)

Prabowo Subianto, a controversial former general, claimed victory in Indonesia’s 2024 election on February 14. The new president is focused on boosting domestic battery production, but his stated environmental priorities include a gradual transition away from coal power, as well as a ban on nickel exports—both of which garner financial support from China.

Yet the two aims may be in conflict. Processing nickel requires a large amount of energy, which the country has largely obtained from new coal-burning power plants. The creation of this infrastructure has also been linked to rights abuses of Indigenous communities. And while the nation has an agreement with the US to retire some of its coal power plants early, the industry continues to expand. Indonesia’s reliance on coal continues due to economic development opportunities from exports as well as domestic energy supply reliance.

Indonesia is also the world’s largest exporter of palm oil, and the new president is pushing to expand the production of biofuels. This move concerns many environmentalists due to the potential impact on deforestation. Mr. Subianto’s human rights record also has attracted attention from environmental activists, who worry that the country’s civil society movements will be limited.

READ | Indonesia is Facing a Plastic Waste Emergency

Inaugural UN Migratory Species Report Discusses Threats and Solutions (United Nations)

The first ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report reviews the conservation status statements submitted at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP13) in 2020. As CMS COP14 commences in Samarkand this week, this assessment will help frame relevant issues and create priorities for the conference.

One in five CMS-listed species are threatened with extinction, and 44% of them are experiencing population decline. Migratory species’ mobility, multiple habitats, and connectivity between different sites exposes them to various threats, including habitat loss, degradation or fragmentation, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. This confluence of factors makes migratory species particularly vulnerable as compared to other animal species.

The sheer number of varied challenges faced by migratory species requires coordinated and collaborative international efforts aimed at conservation. A wealth of information exists about the necessary solutions to help migratory species recover, but these efforts must be scaled up. Among the essential actions to be taken include expansion of protected and conserved areas, maintaining and enhancing connectivity between sites, and coordinated action against exploitation of migratory species.

READ | Have Wetlands Will Travel: Migratory Birds Benefit from Habitat Conservation in China