COP30: Why Peacebuilding Is Key to Climate Action Success

Credit: Food production in Guatemala

Peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and crime prevention are no longer niche security concerns—they are global imperatives for sustainable climate action. From the migration crisis in Venezuela to deforestation-driven conflicts in the Amazon to organized crime in Central America, the ripple effects of instability and environmental degradation are felt far beyond national borders. In 2025, nearly 80% of countries facing risks to peace remain off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Addressing these challenges isn’t just about safeguarding peace, stability, and development—it’s also about ensuring sustainable climate action.

The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat—it has arrived, and communities facing risks to peace are bearing the brunt. From catastrophic droughts in northeastern Brazil to devastating hurricanes in the Caribbean, states grappling with weak institutions, social tensions, and organized crime are disproportionately vulnerable to climate shocks. Yet, despite their heightened exposure, these regions receive only a fraction of global climate financing.

Aligning climate action with peacebuilding and conflict prevention isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a smarter, more strategic approach. These are the regions where climate risks and human vulnerabilities collide, threatening not just local stability but also regional and global security. Without targeted interventions, we risk losing the fight against both climate change and instability.

Climate change and peace are deeply intertwined. Climate shocks affect the foundations of peace—straining governance, social equality, and crime prevention. In Colombia, for instance, shifting rainfall patterns have disrupted agriculture, fueling land-use tensions and worsening long-standing conflicts. Meanwhile, in Central America’s Dry Corridor, prolonged droughts have displaced farming communities, deepening poverty and creating fertile ground for organized crime and migration.

The OECD’s multidimensional framework on instability highlights how economic, environmental, political, security, and societal risks intersect in these contexts. Climate impacts compound these risks, creating a dangerous feedback loop. Climate shocks can weaken peace and deepen instability, leaving affected communities least equipped to adapt or mitigate. This not only undermines local peacebuilding efforts but also fuels transnational challenges such as migration, trafficking, and cross-border violence.

Despite their vulnerability, communities facing instability remain underfunded in global climate action. In 2024, less than 10% of international climate finance reached these contexts. Instead, the majority of funding flows to middle-income countries with stronger institutions and lower risks.

This imbalance is shortsighted. The places where climate action is most urgently needed—and where it can have the greatest impact—are often those facing risks to human security and stability. For example, investments in climate-resilient agriculture in Guatemala have reduced food insecurity and strengthened community resilience, breaking cycles of conflict and displacement. Similarly, renewable energy projects in rural Brazil not only cut emissions but also create jobs, foster stability, and reduce reliance on illicit economies.

Smarter climate financing doesn’t just mean more money—it means better-targeted investments. Funding must be long-term, adaptive, and aligned with local priorities. It must address the structural drivers of instability, from weak governance to social exclusion. Promoting inclusive decision-making in water management or land-use planning can reduce resource-based conflicts and strengthen trust between communities and governments.

As the world gears up for COP30 in Brazil this December, there is a unique opportunity to bring peacebuilding and conflict prevention to the forefront of global climate discussions. Including peacebuilding in the thematic days at COP30 would highlight the intersection of climate action, equitable development, and peace—and ensure that climate action does no harm by inadvertently worsening conflict dynamics. This would raise awareness and drive actionable commitments to address the challenges faced by unstable regions.

By framing peace as a central theme, COP30 could catalyze international support for targeted interventions in unstable contexts, ensuring they receive the attention and resources they urgently need.

Four Principles for Climate Action in Unstable Regions:

Pivot to Prevention: Early action saves lives and money. For example, investments in flood early warning systems in Brazil have reduced costly humanitarian interventions during extreme weather events.

Operationalize the Nexus: Climate action must cut across all sectors—development, peacebuilding, and environmental crime prevention. Climate security risk analyses should be standard practice. For instance, integrating climate considerations into law enforcement roles can strengthen resilience and combat environmental threats.

Flexible, Localized, Inclusive Responses: In the Andes, partnerships with indigenous communities have empowered law enforcement to fight environmental crime and climate insecurity while building trust.

Regional Cooperation: Climate risks and instability transcend borders. Initiatives like the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization show how collective action can address shared challenges.

Peacebuilding is the missing piece in global climate action. Without targeted, conflict-sensitive interventions in unstable regions, the world risks failing its climate goals—and leaving millions behind. The solutions are within reach.

The international community must act with urgency and foresight. By aligning climate financing with peacebuilding, integrating foreign policy into climate action, and adopting multidimensional approaches, we can turn instability from a barrier into an opportunity for progress.

As COP30 host, Brazil has a unique opportunity to lead by linking climate resilience with conflict prevention and peacebuilding. This means prioritizing vulnerable regions, fostering cooperation, and ensuring financing reaches those most at risk. The cost of inaction is far greater than the price of coordinated action today. Peace must become a cornerstone of climate solutions.