Opinion: This Climate Week, let’s address the conflict-climate nexus

This year saw the highest-ever daily global average temperature — a record that was broken the very next day. Yet for millions of people around the world, these extremes of the climate crisis have long been an everyday reality. In a report, the International Rescue Committee identified 16 conflict-affected, climate-vulnerable countries around the world that emit less than 3% of all greenhouse gasses and are home to less than 10% of the global population, but nearly half of all people affected by natural disasters in recent years and over 60% of people in humanitarian need. A deepening climate injustice is being perpetrated against the world’s most vulnerable communities. Despite soaring needs, climate financing per capita for these conflict-affected countries is a third of what other countries received. The status quo approach of climate action risks leaving behind communities already lagging in the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals. During my recent visit to Somalia, I witnessed these trends first-hand. From 2020-2023, the worst drought in a century left nearly half of Somalia’s population highly food insecure. In fall 2023, Somalia experienced deadly flooding that further destroyed crops, livestock, and homes. At the same time, the ongoing conflict with the extremist group Al-Shabab continues to hamper efforts to deliver assistance to regions and communities hit hardest by climate change. The need for cut-through solutions for climate adaptation and resilience in Somalia and other conflict-affected, climate-vulnerable countries has never been clearer. At this year’s Climate Week and U.N. General Assembly, the urgent needs of communities grappling with this new geography of crisis must be front and center. First, it is crucial to bridge the climate financing gap for conflict-affected countries. This Climate Week marks a step toward COP 29, the U.N. climate conference, where financing for climate adaptation and mitigation in developing countries through the New Collective Quantified Goal will be one of the main points of negotiation. The NCQG must include scaled-up adaptation financing to conflict-affected contexts already experiencing the worsening effects of climate change. Second, efforts must be designed to reach populations in conflict-affected states, including where governments may be unwilling or unable to facilitate humanitarian access. A “people-first” approach that prioritizes delivery in collaboration with local partners who often have the greatest capacity in conflict settings and are best-positioned to reach communities most in need is key. This requires funding and formalizing partnerships with local nongovernmental groups such as civil society and local organizations, especially those who represent marginalized groups, such as disability, youth, and women’s rights groups. A deepening climate injustice is being perpetrated against the world’s most vulnerable communities. --— Third, the international community has an opportunity to save and improve lives through targeted and well-designed efforts that help communities adapt to a changing climate. An example is the IRC’s “seed security” project, which works with farmers to identify and test seeds proven to be higher yielding and more climate-resilient than many of those in common use across northeast Syria, Niger, and Pakistan. These seeds can be planted, multiplied, and scaled up to meet local needs, and potentially enhance women’s participation in the agricultural sector. This builds a food system that is resilient to climate shocks. In northeast Syria alone, IRC projects this solutions package can generate an additional $8.8 million in revenue for farmers selling and harvesting high-quality seeds over the next five years. Another promising innovation is anticipatory action, an approach to provide earlier and targeted assistance to populations facing predictable extreme weather and natural disasters. Ahead of a crisis, providing cash or other resources can prevent disease outbreaks, protect critical infrastructure and homes, and save lives and livelihoods. By helping equip communities with the tools to prepare, such interventions can make a significant difference in how quickly they recover from disasters and build resilience. A growing body of evidence highlights that anticipatory action interventions are critical to meeting both the short- and longer-term needs of climate and conflict-affected households. Donor states such as the U.S., U.K., and EU can scale these approaches by dedicating a minimum of 5% of humanitarian budgets to anticipatory climate action. Summers are growing hotter, storms stronger, and droughts longer. Climate action, adaptation solutions, and finance must meet the needs of contexts already grappling with the worst of the climate crisis, and at risk of being further left behind. As governments, the private sector, civil society, and international groups convene this week, it is high time to invest in proven solutions for communities facing the dual crises of conflict and climate change.