There has long been a recognition of the linkages between natural resource degradation and conflict, and the exacerbating impact of climate change in driving resource scarcity, conflict, biodiversity loss, loss of livelihoods, inequality and poverty. There is widespread recognition of the need for local communities on the frontlines of these interlinked challenges to be the architects of solutions that suit their needs and contexts. Despite this recognition, funding to address this nexus of challenges remains strongly siloed, and local communities often have little say in how it is programmed and deployed. As a result, there is often a mismatch between the needs and priorities of vulnerable communities on the ground and provision of finance from international funders. There is a need to strengthen inter-disciplinary collaboration and to better tailor the interventions funded by the international community towards the specific vulnerabilities and needs of local communities confronting a set of mutually reinforcing challenges.

Although financing for climate change adaptation has grown in recent years, its distribution is very uneven, leaving many of the most exposed communities behind. Of the least-developed countries most vulnerable to climate change, more than half are also impacted by conflict; however, these countries face various barriers to access finance to build their resilience. Furthermore, only a small percentage of climate funding reaches the local level, despite the fact that local actors are key to advancing solutions that advance resilience and are rooted in justice.

The workshop on strengthening the climate resilience of conflict-affected and vulnerable communities will convene a diverse group of practicians, funders and policy-makers, to explore these issues. It will take place concurrently with the Caux Forum, and following the decade-long series of Caux Dialogues on Environment and Security. It will provide an opportunity to explore innovative solutions at the critical nexus of environmental degradation, climate change, and conflict and to build creative partnerships in an inspiring venue with a 70-year track record of international trust-building,

Purpose

• To help foster the inter-disciplinary, multi-scale dialogue, understanding and trust required to bring new thinking and approaches to address the interlinked challenges facing climate-vulnerable and conflict-affected communities.
• To explore barriers which prevent these communities from accessing and deploying funding for climate resilience.
• To brainstorm collaborative, interdisciplinary solutions to strengthen climate resilience in conflict-affected settings.

Objectives

• To initiate a dialogue and exchange of experiences between climate, land and humanitarian/peacebuilding practitioners, funders and thought leaders.
• To explore the barriers which prevent vulnerable, fragile and conflict-affected communities from accessing and deploying funding to enhance climate resilience.
• To suggest solutions to these barriers at various levels - at the local level and at the policy level for funders and national governments.

The workshop will bring together approximately 25 participants from diverse countries, sectors, types of institutions and disciplines, including representatives of local communities, local and national governments, local civil society and private sector actors, donor countries and institutions, and researchers across humanitarian, environmental, peacebuilding and climate change fields.