Environmental Peacebuilding and Climate Change: Peace and Conflict Studies at the Edge of Transformation

Abstract

TODA Policy BriefThis Policy Brief presents a comprehensive review of the literature on environmentalconflict and peacebuilding. It traces the development of the field from its beginnings in the1980s until today, identifying several distinct stages which are characterised by specificresearch questions, approaches and findings. Based on this literature review we addressmajor gaps and shortcomings as well as problematic implications of the research so far. Wedevelop a critical approach which can inform Environmental Peace and Conflict Studies inthe future, taking up incentives from the field of Anthropocene Studies and the concepts of‘sustaining peace’ and ‘sustainable peace’. The Policy Brief concludes with some recommendationsthat can give direction for a new wave of research which is currently emerging.