April 2014: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a fifth publication in its series of Post-2015 Notes. ‘Environmental Dimensions of Resilient and Peaceful Societies’ outlines measures for avoiding or resolving conflicts over environmental resources.

The note highlights the importance of healthy ecosystems, such as coral reefs, wetlands and forests, in providing for basic needs and protecting against natural hazards and disasters. The authors emphasize the justice dimensions of natural resource management, noting that low-income countries with high dependence on the exploitation of natural resources are more prone to conflict than other developing countries, due to resentment over environmental degradation coupled with inequitable sharing of benefits.

Citing evidence that 40 per cent of all violent conflicts are linked to the use of natural resources, the Note recommends integrated solutions that include: sound stewardship of natural assets; prevention of illegal and illicit exploitation of natural resources such as trafficking in wildlife, timber and minerals; and capable and effective public institutions. It stresses the importance of establishing rule of law and inclusive decision-making processes.

The authors also call on governments and businesses to commit to sustainable practices, such as the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance and Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Food, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), and procedures for prior informed consent (PIC). [Publication: UNEP Post 2015 Note #5: Environmental Dimensions of Resilient and Peaceful Societies] [UNEP Webpage on Post-2015]