Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T02:11:49.696Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

8 - Governance and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Conflict-Affected Countries of Central Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 June 2021

By
H. Carolyn Peach Brown
Edited by
Riyanti Djalante  and
Bernd Siebenhüner
Riyanti Djalante
Affiliation:
United Nations University, Tokyo
Bernd Siebenhüner
Affiliation:
Carl V. Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Germany
Get access

Summary

Africa is expected to be more vulnerable to global environmental change due a complexity of factors. In some countries, weak governance institutions contribute to conflict, thereby increasing vulnerability to climate change, and limiting capacity to adapt and potentially benefit from external interventions.Through content analysis of publicly available documents, external interventions on climate change, particularly REDD+ initiatives, and how they interacted with governance processes were investigated in two conflict-affected countries of Central Africa. Results revealed that discussion of how conflict might impact REDD+ outcomes was limited. Concrete approaches to address the reality of civil conflict were not evident.Cross-cutting governance emphases are playing an important role in addressing some sources of conflict.With the complex interaction between climate change and conflict expected to increase, further research is needed to see how international institutions can better integrate climate change as a cross-cutting issue in all environment, development, and peacebuilding interventions.

Keywords

AfricaCongo Basinforestclimate change REDD+conflict
Type
Chapter
Information
Adaptiveness: Changing Earth System Governance , pp. 147 - 165
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Angelsen, A., Martius, C., Duchelle, A.E. et al. (2018). Conclusions: lessons for the path to a transformational REDD+. In Angelsen, A., De Sy, V., Duchelle, A.E., Larson, A.M., & Thuy, P.T., eds., Transforming REDD+. Bogor, Indonesia: CIFOR, 203–14.Google Scholar
Asefi-Najafabady, S., Vandecar, K.L., Seimon, A., Lawrence, P., & Lawrence, D. (2018). Climate change, population, and poverty: vulnerability and exposure to heat stress in countries bordering the Great Lakes of Africa. Climatic Change, 148(4), 561–73. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-018-2211-5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Babcicky, P. (2013). A conflict-sensitive approach to climate change adaptation. Peace Review: A Journal of Social Justice, 25(4), 480–8.Google Scholar
Beevers, M.D. (2015a). Governing natural resources for peace: lessons from Liberia and Sierra Leone. Global Governance, 21, 227–46.Google Scholar
Beevers, M.D. (2015b). Peace resources? Governing Liberia’s forests in the aftermath of conflict. International Peacekeeping, 22(1), 26–42.Google Scholar
Bertocchi, G. & Guerzoni, A. (2012). Growth, history, or institutions: what explains state fragility in sub-Saharan Africa? Journal of Peace Research, 49(6), 769–83.Google Scholar
Boas, I. & Rothe, D. (2016). From conflict to resilience? Explaining recent changes in climate security discourse and practice. Environmental Politics, 25(4), 613–32.Google Scholar
Brown, H.C.P. (2017). Implementing REDD+ in a conflict-affected country: a case study of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Environments 2017, 4(3), 61. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/environments4030061.Google Scholar
Buhaug, H., Gleditsch, N.P., & Theison, O.M. (2009). Implications of climate change for armed conflict. In Mearns, R. & Norton, A., eds., Social Dimensions of Climate Change. Washington, DC: World Bank, 75–101Google Scholar
Busby, J.W., Smith, T.G., White, K.L., & Strange, S.M. (2013). Climate change and insecurity: mapping vulnerability in Africa. International Security, 37(4), 132–72.Google Scholar
Cadman, T. & Maraseni, T. (2011). The governance of climate change: evaluating the governance quality and legitimacy of the United Nations REDD-plus programme. International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses, 2(3), 103–23.Google Scholar
Cadman, T., Maraseni, T., Ok Ma, H., & Lopez-Casero, F. (2017). Five years of REDD+ governance: the use of market mechanisms as a response to anthropogenic climate change. Forest Policy and Economics, 79, 8–16.Google Scholar
Castro-Nunez, A., Mertz, O., & Quintero, M. (2016). Propensity of farmers to conserve forest within REDD+ projects in areas affected by armed-conflict. Forest Policy and Economics, 66, 22–30.Google Scholar
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). (2015). Central African Forest Initiative-CAFI Joint Declaration. Retrieved from www.cafi.org/content/cafi/en/home/our-work/governance/the-cafi-declaration.html.Google Scholar
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). (2016). CAFI Executive Board Decision. Retrieved from www.cafi.org/content/cafi/en/home/partner-countries/central-african-republic.html.Google Scholar
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). (2018). No Cost Extension of the Preparatory Grant for the Central African Republic. Retrieved from www.undp.org/content/dam/cafi/docs/Executive%20Board/CAFI_EB_Decisions/English/EB.2018.24-%20Extension% 20CAR.pdf.Google Scholar
Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). (2019). Central African Forest Initiative. Retrieved from www.cafi.org/.Google Scholar
Central African Republic (CAR). (2016). Central African Republic: National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan 2017–2021. European Union, World Bank Group, United Nations. Retrieved from https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/12902/national-plan-for-recovery-and-peacebuilding---central-african-republic_en.Google Scholar
Climate Investment Funds. (2016). Forest Investment Program Fact Sheet. Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar
de Wasseige, C., Devers, D., de Marcken, P. et al. (2009). Les Forêts du Bassin du Congo – État des Forêts 2008. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.Google Scholar
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). (2015). REDD+ Investment Plan (2015–2020). Retrieved from: www.unredd.net/documents/un-redd-partner-countries-181/africa-335/democratic-republic-of-the-congo-189/15895-drc-national-redd-investment-plan-2015-2020.html.Google Scholar
Dunlap, A. & Fairhead, J. (2014). The militarisation and marketisation of nature: an alternative lens to ‘climate-conflict’. Geopolitics, 19, 937–61.Google Scholar
Earth System Governance (ESG) Project. (2018). Earth System Governance: Science and Implementation Plan of the Earth System Governance Project. Utrecht: Earth System Governance. Retrieved from www.earthsystemgovernance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Earth-System-Governance-Science-Plan-2018.pdf.Google Scholar
Eba’a Atyi, R. (2018). Contributions of Central African Countries to Combat Climate Change. COMIFAC. Retrieved from www.observatoire-comifac.net/docs/policy_brief/OFAC-Brief-02-en-web.pdf.Google Scholar
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). (2015). Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Information Card. Washington, DC: FCPF.Google Scholar
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). (2016). Emissions Reduction Program Document. Washington, DC: FCPF.Google Scholar
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). (2018a). Advancing Green Development in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Retrieved from www.forest carbonpartnership.org/country/congo-democratic-republic.Google Scholar
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). (2018b). Central African Republic. Retrieved from www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/country/central-african-republic.Google Scholar
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). (2018c). Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. Retrieved from www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/.Google Scholar
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and UN-REDD Programme. (2012). National REDD+ Framework Strategy of the Democratic Republic of Congo: Summary for Decision-Makers. Kinshasa, DRC: FCPF and UN-REDD.Google Scholar
Gapia, M. & Bele, Y. (2012). Adaptation et atténuation en République centrafricaine: Acteurs et processus politiques. Bogor: CIFOR.Google Scholar
Gartzke, E. (2012). Could climate change precipitate peace? Journal of Peace Research, 49(1), 177–92.Google Scholar
Gizachew, B., Astrup, R., Vedeld, P., Zahabu, E.A., & Duguma, L.A. (2017). REDD+ in Africa: contexts and challenges. Natural Resources Forum, 41, 92–104.Google Scholar
Glassius, M. (2008). ‘We ourselves, we are part of the functioning’: the ICC, victims and civil society in the Central African Republic. African Affairs, 108(430), 49–67.Google Scholar
Global Witness. (2015). Conflict Minerals in Eastern Congo. Retrieved from www.glo balwitness.org/fr/campaigns/conflict-minerals/conflict-minerals-eastern-congo/.Google Scholar
Global Witness. (2019). Central African Republic. Retrieved from www.global witness.org/en/campaigns/central-african-republic-car/.Google Scholar
Hoare, A.L. (2007). Clouds on the Horizon: The Congo Basin Forests and Climate Change. London: Rainforest Foundation.Google Scholar
Hsiang, S.M. & Burke, M. (2014). Climate, conflict, and social stability: what does the evidence say? Climatic Change, 123, 39–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
International Bank for Reconstruction. (2015). Charter Establishing the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.Google Scholar
International Crisis Group. (2019a). Central African Republic. Retrieved from www.crisisgroup.org/crisiswatch.Google Scholar
International Crisis Group. (2019b). Democratic Republic of Congo. Retrieved from www.crisisgroup.org/crisiswatch.Google Scholar
King, E. & Mutter, J.C. (2014). Violent conflicts and natural disasters: the growing case for cross-disciplinary dialogue. Third World Quarterly, 35(7), 1239–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mason, M., Zeitoun, M., & El Sheikh, R. (2011). Conflict social vulnerability to climate change: lessons from Gaza. Climate and Development, 3, 285–97.Google Scholar
Matthew, R. (2014). Integrating climate change into peace-building. Climatic Change, 123, 83–93.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maxwell, D., Mazurana, D., Wagner, M., & Slater, R. (2017). Livelihoods, Conflict and Recovery: Findings from the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium. London: Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium.Google Scholar
Megevand, C. (2013). Deforestation Trends in the Congo Basin. Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar
Mehler, A. (2011). Rebels and parties: the impact of armed insurgency on representation in the Central African Republic. Journal of Modern African Studies, 49(1), 115–39.Google Scholar
Milabyo Kyamusugulwa, P., Hilhorst, D., & van der Haar, G. (2014). Capacity builders for governance: community-driven reconstruction in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Development in Practice, 24(7), 812–26.Google Scholar
Mushi, F.M. (2013). Insecurity and local governance in Congo’s South Kivu. IDS Bulletin, 44(1), 15–29.Google Scholar
Mwiturubani, D.A. & van Wyk, J.-A. (2010). Climate Change and Natural Resources in Africa. Pretoria, SA: Institute for Security Studies.Google Scholar
Potts, A., Myer, K., & Roberts, L. (2011). Measuring human rights violations in a conflict-affected country: results from a nationwide cluster survey in Central African Republic. Conflict and Health, 5(1), 4. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1505-5-4.Google Scholar
Rüttinger, L., Smith, D., Stang, G., Tänzler, D., & Vivekananda, J. (2015). A New Climate for Peace: Taking Action on Climate and Fragility Risks. Retrieved from www.newclimateforpeace.org/.Google Scholar
Saatchi, S., Xu, A., Meyer, V. et al. (2017). Carbon Map of DRC. Los Angeles: University of California.Google Scholar
Samndong, R.A. & Kjosavik, D.J. (2017). Gendered forests: exploring gender dimensions in forest governance and REDD+ in Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Ecology and Society, 22(4). doi: https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-09753-220434.Google Scholar
Scheffran, J., Ide, T., & Schilling, J. (2014). Violent climate or climate of violence? Concepts and relations with focus on Kenya and Sudan. International Journal of Human Rights, 18(3), 369–90.Google Scholar
Scott, S.V. (2015). Implications of climate change for the UN Security Council: mapping the range of potential policy responses. International Affairs, 91(5), 1317–33.Google Scholar
Slettebak, R.T. (2012). Don’t blame the weather! Climate-related natural disasters and civil conflict. Journal of Peace Research, 49(1), 163–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spittaels, S. & Hilgert, F. (2009). Mapping Conflict Motives: Central African Republic. Antwerp: International Peace Information Service (IPIS). Retrieved from https://ipisresearch.be/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IPIS-CAR-Conflict-Mapping-November-2014.pdf.Google Scholar
Stoett, P., Daszak, P., Romanelli, C. et al. (2016). Avoiding catastrophes: seeking synergies among the public health, environmental protection, and human security sectors. Lancet Global Health, 4(10), e680–1. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(16)30173-5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Toulmin, C. (2009). Climate Change in Africa. London: Zed Books.Google Scholar
United Nations. (2017). United Nations Relief Chief Appeals for Urgent Funds for People in Need in the DR Congo. Retrieved from http://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/united-nations-relief-chief-appeals-urgent-funds-people-need-dr.Google Scholar
United Nations. (2019). United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Retrieved from https://monusco.unmissions.org/en.Google Scholar
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2016a). Major agreement between CAFI and the DRC sets best practices to prevent tree loss and ensure sustainable development [Press release]. Retrieved from www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/press center/pressreleases/2016/04/22/major-agreement-between-cafi-and-the-drc-sets-best-practices-to-prevent-tree-loss-and-ensure-sustainable-development.html.Google Scholar
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2016b). Towards a Common Understanding of REDD+ under the UNFCCC. Technical Resource Series 3. Geneva: UN-REDD.Google Scholar
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2018). Human Development Data (1990–2018). Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/en/data/trends/.Google Scholar
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2011). Livelihood Security: Climate Change, Migration and Conflict in the Sahel. Geneva: UNEP. Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/UNEP_Sahel_EN.pdf.Google Scholar
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2015). Warsaw Framework for REDD-Plus. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/topics/land-use/resources/warsaw-framework-for-redd-plus.Google Scholar
United Nations Security Council (UNSC). (2019). Letter Dated 2 January 2019 from the Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations Addressed to the Secretary-General. New York: United Nations Security Council.Google Scholar
UN News. (2019). Climate change recognized as threat multiplier, UN Security Council debates its impact on peace. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/01/1031322.Google Scholar
UN-REDD Programme. (2011). Joint Declaration of Intent on REDD+ in the Congo Basin between Central African and Donor Countries. South Africa: United Nations.Google Scholar
UN-REDD Programme. (2015). UN-REDD Programme Strategic Framework 2016–2020. Washington, DC: United Nations.Google Scholar
UN-REDD Programme. (2016a). Modelling REDD+ in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nairobi, Kenya: UNEP.Google Scholar
UN-REDD Programme. (2016b). UN-REDD Programme. Retrieved from www.un-redd.org/partner-countries.Google Scholar
UN-REDD Programme. (2019). The United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries. Retrieved from www.un-redd.org/.Google Scholar
World Bank. (2010). République Centrafricaine: Analyse Environnementale de Pays: Gestion environnementale pour une croissance durable. Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar
World Bank. (2011). Climate Investment Funds: Investment Plan Democratic Republic of Congo. Washington, DC:World Bank. Retrieved from www.climateinvestment funds.org/sites/cif_enc/files/fip_4_ dcr_ip_0.pdfGoogle Scholar
World Bank. (2014). Project Information Document (PID) Concept Stage. Washington, DC: World Bank. Retrieved from http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/5587514%2068015027713/pdf/PID-Print-P145634–08-11-2014-1407772091132.pdf.Google Scholar
World Bank. (2017). Forest and Climate-Smart Development in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Retrieved from http://blogs.worldbank.org/climatechange/forest-and-climate-smart-development-democratic-republic-congo.Google Scholar
World Bank. (2018a). CAR REDD+ Readiness Preparation Support. Washington, DC: World Bank. Retrieved from www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/system/files/documents/GRM%20CAR%20FY18%20Progress%20Report.pdf.Google Scholar
World Bank. (2018b). Central African Republic Overview. Retrieved from www.worldbank.org/en/country/centralafricanrepublic/overview.Google Scholar
World Bank. (2018c). Democratic Republic of Congo Overview. Retrieved from www.worldbank.org/en/country/drc/overview.Google Scholar
World Bank. (2018d). International Development Association Project Appraisal Document on a Proposed Grant to the Central African Republic for a Natural Resources Governance Project. Retrieved from http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/823091521079287934/pdf/CAR-PADnew-02212018.pdf.Google Scholar
World Bank. (2019). Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo sign landmark deals with World Bank to cut carbon emissions and reduce deforestation [Press release]. Retrieved from www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2019/02/12/mozam bique-and-democratic-republic-of-congo-sign-landmark-deals-with-world-bank-to-cut-carbon-emissions-and-reduce-deforestation.Google Scholar
World Bank Forest Investment Program. (2018). Forest Investment Program. Retrieved from www.climateinvestmentfunds.org/fund/forest-investment-program.Google Scholar
World Bank Group. (2018). Central African Republic Economic Update: Breaking the Cycle of Conflict and Instability. Washington, DC: World Bank Group. Retrieved from http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/444491528747992733/pdf/127056-WP-PUBLIC-BreakingTheCycleOfConflitAndInstabilityInCAR.pdf.Google Scholar
World Bank Group. (2019). Worldwide Governance Indicators. Retrieved from https://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/#home.Google Scholar
Wig, T. & Tollefsen, A.F. (2016). Local institutional quality and conflict violence in Africa. Political Geography, 53, 30–42.Google Scholar
Witmer, F.D., Linke, A.M., O’Loughlin, J., Gettelman, A., & Laing, A. (2017). Subnational violent conflict forecasts for sub-Saharan Africa, 2015–65, using climate-sensitive models. Journal of Peace Research, 54(2), 175–92.Google Scholar
Wong, P.-H. (2016). How can political trust be built after civil wars? Evidence from post-conflict Sierra Leone. Journal of Peace Research, 53(6), 772–85.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×