Conflict-sensitive Conservation

What is "Conflict-sensitive" Conservation?

Conservation in conflict zones involves a range of challenges that call for new approaches in project implementation. Conflict situations present risks to project personnel, resources and biodiversity. Yet volatile social and political dynamics can also mean that conservation activities have both positive and negative impacts on conflict. By understanding these impacts, conservationists can plan activities that do not exacerbate tensions but instead promote cooperation and peace-building – i.e., make their work more conflict-sensitive.

IISD is working with conservation organizations in Africa to design conflict assessments that systematically consider how conservation interventions impact local peace and conflict issues. The results will then be used to integrate conflict-sensitivity into conservation programming.

Where to Read More

Promoting conflict-sensitivity in transboundary protected areas: A role for peace and conflict impact assessments (PDF - 67 kb)» Anne Hammill, Charles Besançon, 2003. Transboundary protected areas (TBPA) have the potential to promote mutually-reinforcing interests of biodiversity conservation, economic development, cultural integrity, and regional peace and security. Yet many TBPAs are being established in conflict zones. How can we be sure they are contributing to peace rather than conflict? Peace and conflict impact assessments (PCIA) may provide a starting point.

Ongoing Projects

Assessing the peace and conflict impacts of the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)
Since 2004, IISD has been working in partnership with the International Gorilla Conservation Project (IGCP) in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to conduct a peace and conflict impact assessment (PCIA) of their conservation work. The partners are undertaking field research and outreach activities that will help conservation managers to design, implement and monitor projects that minimize risks and maximize peace-building opportunities in the Virunga-Bwindi region of Central Africa. This project is funded by the Buffett Foundation and USAID CARPE (Central African Regional Pogram for the Environment).

Project documents:
- Project Summary (2004) - Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment (PCIA) of IGCP Activities in the Virunga-Bwindi Region (PDF - 60 kb)
  A summary of the rationale, purpose and work program for the PCIA project in Virunga/Bwindi.
- Field Visit 1 (March 2005) - Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment Brainstorming Workshop Report (PDF - 111 kb)
  Report from the first PCIA field visit, which involved a workshop with IGCP staff and protected areas authorities. The purpose of the workshop was to introduce the project and solicit feedback on its approach, as well as discuss observed links between conservation and peace/conflict in the region.
- Field Visit 2 (September 2005) - PCIA Virunga-Bwindi Region Trip Report (PDF - 60 kb)
  Report from the second PCIA field visit, which involved participation in a regional meeting on management effectiveness and continued consultations on the peace and conflict impacts of four IGCP initiatives.
- Field Visit 3 (December 2005) - PCIA Virunga-Bwindi Region, Report of Activities at Regional Meeting in Goma, DRC (PDF - 82 kb)
  Report from the third PCIA field visit, which involved participation at a Regional Meeting in Goma, DRC. IGCP staff and protected areas authorities from the Virunga-Bwindi countries received an update on the PCIA project and began discussing potential peace and conflict impact indicators.
Promoting conflict-sensitive conservation in the Albertine Rift
The Albertine Rift is one of the most biodiverse regions in Africa. Sadly, it has also been the site of some of the world's worst violent conflicts in recent history. Instability persists but the prospects for peace are growing, prompting conservationists to launch or re-launch efforts in the region. IISD is building on its experience with IGCP and helping other conservation NGOs based in the Albertine Rift to integrate conflict sensitivity into the planning and implementation of their projects. This project was funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
Conserving the Peace: Analyzing the links between conservation and conflict in the Albertine Rift. (PDF - 276 kb) » Anne Hammill, Oli Brown, March 2006 Strategy Report prepared following the Project Inception Meeting in Nairobi, 1-2 February 2006. This paper charts the variety of forms of conflict that conservationists in the Albertine Rift face. It then analyzes seven conflict assessment tools that conservationist might use to obtain a better, more systematic understanding of conflict in their project area, assess how their interventions could affect conflict dynamics and use this understanding to design and implement activities that will avoid or mitigate conflict.

» Themes

» Initiatives

» Trade, Aid and Security (TAS)

» Business and Conflict

» Environment and Security (E&S)