Conflict Sensitive Business Practice

Companies have an important—yet underdeveloped—role to play in contributing to peace and human security. As the extractive sector expands its exploration and production in conflict-threatened or afflicted areas, the need for conflict sensitivity is growing.

Building on the 2002 UN Global Compact dialogue on the role of the private sector in conflict prevention, IISD's work seeks to equip companies operating in conflict risk zones with a methodology for assessing the likely impacts of their operations on conflict.

Promoting conflict-sensitive business (PDF - 550 kb) » IISD, 2006 Written as one of six policy briefs for IISD-IUCN's Trade, Aid and Security Initiative, this short brief analyses the current mechanisms for encouraging conflict-sensitive business practice and makes recommendations for policy makers.
Conflict-Sensitive Business Practice: Guidance for Extractive Industries (PDF - 1.5 mb) » International Alert, 2005 Developed by International Alert in partnership with IISD, this publication comprises a set of tools to help companies understand and minimise conflict risk, and contribute actively to peace. Under the guidance of an expert steering committee, the research has produced a practical methodology that applies conflict-sensitive business approaches to the complete project cycle for the oil, gas and mining sectors.
Strengthening the Role of the Private Sector in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding: A Briefing Note (PDF - 174 kb) » Jason Switzer, 2005 This short note summarizes some of the latest thinking on the role of the private sector in conflict and peace, for the 'State of the World 2005', Worldwatch Institute.
Towards the integration of conflict assessment and prevention in extractive industry practice (PDF - 454 kb) » Rachel Goldwyn and Jason Switzer, International Alert and IISD, October 2004 An analysis of the best corporate practice in political risk assessment, developmental and environmental impact assessment as they relate to conflict sensitivity.
Enabling Corporate Investment in Peace: An Assessment of Voluntary Initiatives Addressing Business and Violent Conflict, and a Framework for Policy Decision-making (PDF - 410 kb)» Jason Switzer, Halina Ward, IISD & DFAIT February 2004 This report was commissioned by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) to review the voluntary codes, guidelines and initiatives that address the relationship between business and violent civil conflict. It also includes suggestions on a framework through which public policy makers can enable more-responsible investment, and strengthen the legitimacy and comprehensiveness of these voluntary norms.

More Information

For further analysis and information on the role of the private sector in fragile states see:

For further information, please contact: obrown@iisd.org or jbanfield@international-alert.org

Key Publication

Trade, Aid and Security: An agenda for peace and development

» Oli Brown, Mark Halle, Sonia Peña Moreno, Sebastian Winkler, Earthscan, 2006.

Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur. All resonate loudly on the international stage, exposing and illustrating the intractable links among global security, war and conflict, the control over natural resources—be they oil, water, timber or "conflict diamonds"—and the deployment of aid money and the manipulation of international trade policies. This volume, written by leading authorities from across the globe, introduces the linkages among trade, aid and security, and exposes how inappropriate or misused trade and aid policies can and do undermine security and contribute to violence and the disintegration of nation states. On a practical level, they demonstrate how six key areas of trade and aid policy can be used to help forge stability and security, reduce the likelihood of armed conflict and assist economic and political recovery in our war-torn world. Foreword by Lloyd Axworthy. More...

» Themes

» Initiatives

» Trade, Aid and Security (TAS)

» Business and Conflict

» Environment and Security (E&S)