Key Message
Human Security is both a pre-condition and outcome of sustainable development and conservation of the world's resources. Environmental degradation, poorly designed trade and aid policies, and reckless exploitation of our natural resources imperil human security.
Team
 | · Henry David Venema Director - Sustainable Natural Resources Management | |
 | · Alec Crawford Project Officer | |
 | · Anne Hammill Project Manager | |
 | · Mark Halle Director - Trade and Investment, and European Representative | |
 | · Oli Brown Program Manager | |
 | · Richard Matthew Senior Fellow | |
Security
What's New in Security?
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Assessing the security implications of climate change for West Africa: Country case studies of Ghana and Burkina Faso (PDF - 620 kb)
Our research in this area investigates the country level impacts of climate change on security in West Africa. The final report sets out scenarios for the future security implications of climate change as well as identifying particular 'flash point' issues that domestic authorities and external actors should bear in mind when designing development programs.
Since the events of 9/11, security has dominated the concerns of decision-makers and policy analysts. Increasingly, security is being framed in narrow terms of the terrorist threat to the developed world. At IISD we argue for a wider understanding of security that encompasses resilience to ecological stresses and disasters, political stability, equitable trade and sustainable livelihoods.
Human security and environmental protection are mutually dependent. On one hand, careless depletion of our natural resources undermines livelihoods, increases vulnerability to disaster and imperils human security. On the other, violent conflict and political instability lead to mismanagement of vital natural resources.
IISD is dedicated to understanding the forces that lead to environmental and political insecurity. We promote innovative policy mechanisms that challenge the root causes of insecurity around the world.
Contents
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Trade, Aid and Security (TAS)
An IISD/IUCN research initiative that investigates the impact of the trade and aid policies on security in the developing world. -
Environment and Security (E&S)
Since 1999, IISD has been examining how better environmental management can contribute to human security, including sustainable livelihoods, resilience to disasters, disease prevention, conflict avoidance/peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction. Facilitated through partnerships with governments, NGOs and multilateral institutions, this work seeks to offer practical tools for addressing the links between environment and security. -
Business and Conflict
Research that focuses on engaging natural resource-related companies, relevant financial institutions and governments on the critical links between companies, environmental impacts and consequences for social stability and peace.
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...
Our Knowledge
» Themes
- Climate Change and Energy
- Economics and SD
- Foreign Investment for SD
- Governance for Sustainable Development
- Information Society
- International Trade
- Measurement and Assessment
- Natural Resources
- Networks & Partnerships
- Security
- Sustainable Markets
- Tomorrow's SD Leaders
» Initiatives
- Finance Alliance For Sustainable Trade (FAST)
- Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI)
- IISDLabs.org
- The IISD Media Blog
