20 February 2009: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a report titled “From Conflict to Peacebuilding – The Role of Natural Resources and the Environment.”

The report highlights that: without a focus on the environment and natural resources, intrastate conflicts are like to escalate; post-conflict and peacebuilding plans and activities need to account for linkages with the environment and natural resources; and natural resources can contribute to peace. In addition, the report emphasizes that: compared to non-resource related conflicts, conflicts linked to natural resources are twice as likely to relapse within the first five years; over 40% of intrastate conflicts are linked to natural resource issues; and climate change could generate new conflicts, as a consequence of water and food shortages. [UNEP Press Release] [UN News Story] [The Report]