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

Humanitarians Highlight the Climate-Conflict Nexus  (The New Humanitarian) 

Climate change’s disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities and conflict, particularly during natural disasters. This vexed connection has led humanitarians and peacebuilders increasingly to address climate and conflict challenges together in order to provide integrated relief, recovery, and aid.

Many peacebuilders have become increasingly wary of state-led climate action. Rather, they underscore the need for localized programming and political neutrality to ensure that recovery efforts actually reach people in distress. Climate finance also presents opportunities to further humanitarian action in conflict-struck nations and build resilience by filling the gaps left by absent or inadequate state-led action.   

Dialogues on climate finance at the recent COP29 acknowledged interlinkages between climate and political and economic insecurity, and called for a redirection of funding toward fragile countries. Earlier drafts of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) mentioned conflict and fragility, but this explicit language did not make it to the final draft. These recent discussions also failed to provide clarity on key issues such as funding levels or the mechanisms needed to address these multidimensional challenges, and underscored the missed opportunities to tackle these challenges. 

READ | As Humanitarian Crises Grow, So Do Risks for Women and Newborns 

South Korea and Japan Contribute to Indonesia’s Deforestation (Mongabay) 

A new report published by Earth Insight and other prominent environmental organizations links South Korea and Japan with the crisis of deforestation in Indonesia. The heavily subsidized biomass industry found in these importing nations drives an intense demand for wood, and leads to rapid deforestation as Indonesia’s wood pellet industry experiences a boom.   

Wood pellets from Indonesia are sourced from its natural forests, rather than plantations. It is a choice that depletes the country’s natural carbon-storage systems. These pellets also are used to generate electricity alongside domestic coal output—and since the burning of wood emits more CO2 than coal, such pathways are counterproductive to climate goals.  

Japan’s Asia Zero Emission Community initiative further facilitates Indonesian biomass energy production by partnering with local companies. But the increase in deforestation has intensified global debate on “perverse subsidies.” Policymakers at COP16 called on governments to stop using public funds in activities that contribute to climate change. Discussion of regulatory measures to address this global value chain issue is gaining momentum in both South Korea and Japan.  

READ | A Decade of Progress on Palm Oil Deforestation at Risk in Indonesia 

Climate Change is Redrawing National Borders (BBC) 

Geographical factors such as mountain ridges and peaks are often used to define borders. One particular Alpine glacier, Hochjochferner, holds special significance because it was used to draw borders between Austria and Italy after the high-altitude war between those nations in the early 20th century. Yet climate change has created conditions that are causing the melting of this glacier at a rapid pace—and compelling the two countries to redraw their shared border. 

The retreat of this border glacier also is narrowing the natural snowmelt that produces fresh water and streams. In earlier times, this water flowed into both countries, but now it solely flows into Austria—causing shifts livelihoods and changing access to drinking water. While renegotiating this border has minimal geopolitical and security implications for Austria or Italy (both countries are members of the European Union), yet changing circumstances could lead to conflicts.  

While high-altitude mountain ranges remain largely unaffected by these trends, climate change is significantly impacting glaciers in low-altitude regions. Glacier loss should serve as a warning for nations to address disproportionate impacts and resource constraints that may stoke transboundary conflicts—especially for populations heavily reliant on meltwater. For example, glacial shifts in the Hindu Kush Himalayan mountain range, which lies at the geographical intersection of India, China, Pakistan, and Nepal, can create political instability in that region. 

READ | No Water, No Food – Glacier Loss Threatens US and Chinese Agriculture