What is Environment and Security Initiative about?

There is a growing understanding that environmental degradation, inequitable access to natural resources and transboundary movement of hazardous materials increase the probability of conflict and thereby pose a risk to human and even national security. For example, transboundary pollution often negatively affects negatively the relations between neighbouring states sharing the common resource base. Also health risks and involuntary migration due to e.g. water scarcity, equitable access to land resources, uncontrolled stocks of obsolete pesticides or other forms of hazardous waste have been identified as threats to stability and peace.

Ongoing disputes and disagreements over the management of natural resources shared by two or more states, can deepen divides and lead to hostilities. However, common problems regarding the use of natural resources may also bring people together in a positive manner. Communities and nations can build confidence with each other through joint efforts to improve the state and management of natural resources. Environmental co-operation can thereby act as an important tool for preventing conflicts and promoting peace between communities.

The Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) seeks to facilitate a process whereby key public decision-makers in South Eastern and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus are able to motivate action to advance and protect peace and the environment at the same time.

What we are doing?

The ENVSEC Initiative works to assess and address environmental problems, which threaten or are perceived to threaten security, societal stability and peace, human health and/or sustainable livelihoods, within and across national borders in conflict prone regions. The Initiative collaborates closely with governments, particularly foreign, defense and environment ministries, national experts and NGOs. Together with the stakeholders ENVSEC has carried out assessments and published reports illustrated by maps, for understanding the linkages between environment and security in the political and socio-economic reality of South Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. Based on the assessments, the Initiative develops and implements work programmes aimed at reducing tensions and solving the problems identified. Through extensive regional consultations and multi-stakeholder participation the initiative seeks to:

• Identify environment and conflict hotspots by carrying out desk and field assessments

• Present the results of the assessments in graphically rich maps, reports and web site and draw the attention of politicians and people to situations and hot spots where risks are high

• Help societies to deal with priority issues by raising awareness, building capacities and strengthening institutions

• Support concrete action and catalyse specific solutions for the identified security-relevant environmental problems on the ground

These challenges are being tackled with a combination of political, socio-economic and environmental insights as well as the capacity and skills of the six partners. ENVSEC also collaborates with think tanks and research institutes to increase the understanding of the interdependency of natural resources, socio-economic development and political stability.

Who are we?

It was established in 2003 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) became an associate member of the Initiative in 2004, through its Public Diplomacy Division. From 2006 onwards the Initiative is strengthened with two new members: the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); and the Regional Environment Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC).

ENVSEC is governed by a Management Board, which consists of representatives of the partner agencies. The ENVSEC activities are co-ordinated by the ENVSEC Secretariat consisting of two bodies: (i) a coordination unit comprised of a Coordination Officer and Regional Desk Officers from the partner organizations, and (ii) an administrative unit hosted by UNDP Regional Centre for Europe and the CIS.

An Advisory Board comprised of donors, national government focal points from recipient countries and other stakeholders provides scientific and policy advice for the Initiative through annual meetings.

The initiative is open for collaboration with potential partners in the countries, regions and internationally.

>> see also ENVSEC Board and Secretariat