A global analysis of interactions between peace and environmental sustainability

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify which components of peace are most associated with environmental sustainability. Drawing on the Global Peace Index, Positive Peace Index, and Environmental Performance Index, our study shows that environmental performance (especially regarding air quality, safe sanitation, and safe drinking water) is more closely associated with positive peace (particularly concerning equitable distribution of resources and high levels of human capital) than negative peace (specifically with the degree of militarisation). Our integrative analysis of the indicators also reveals that some low-income countries score high in both negative peace and environmental sustainability, but they often fall short in achieving positive peace outcomes. Therefore, we conclude that positive peace is more conducive to accommodating environmental considerations and the plurality of conditions on which countries achieve and maintain peace and sustainability, which supports the need to integrate environmental indicators in peace indices.