Climate Fragility Programming: Resource Guide

The document underlines that climates shocks and the cumulative impacts from a changing climate intensify security challenges especially in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings (FCVs). Here, the combined effects of climate and conflict pressures create a dual burden for states and societies. More specifically, the document identifies five compound climate-fragility risks: resource competition, livelihood insecurity, extreme weather events and disasters, transboundary water tensions, volatile food prices and rising food insecurity.

A key assumption of the guide is that the compound risks need to be addressed through integrated approaches so that states can develop greater resilience. In turn, governance, capacity and resilience create a foundation for peace and stability. This is referred to as the “Theory of Change”. 

In this guide, those working on the ground in FCVs are provided with various programming approaches that address complex climate-fragility compound risks. The guidance is structured in two categories. Category 1 focuses on the integration of climate considerations into conflict prevention and stabilisation programming. Category 2 focuses on building peace by leveraging the governance of land, natural resources, and the environment in FCV settings. According to the guide, this can be done by promoting tenure security, improving local governance and institutions related to natural resources under dispute, utilising responses to climate change and natural resources management to provide opportunities for social cohesion and cooperation.

The recommended approaches for programming are complemented with boxes with concrete selected examples from existing programs and projects. In the annex, relevant toolkits and resources on the topic are included. Those can be used for aiding decision-making regarding climate and security risks, especially interesting for experts working on planning of missions.

Reference: U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (2024). Climate Fragility Programming - Resource Guide.