Abstract

Climate security – the relationship between climate-related risks and conflict – is complex and often intersects with political, social, and economic factors . Climate security is understood as climate change possessing significant threat to global and national security. To ‘unpack’ this, there is an absolute need to recognise the impacts of climate change such as extreme weather events, human displacements, and food and water scarcity as having the potential to affect both human and national securities. Climate security is in fact the clear indication of how human insecurities are tied to national and global security, and why human security is a vital component in international peace and order.

Closely tied to international peace and security is the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. While the WPS agenda has been recognised as addressing women’s safety and insecurities in conflict, and climate change has long been recognised as a vital security threat, the connection between the two based on threats to women and girls has not been firmly established. Additionally, there is not enough uptake on how the WPS agenda might play a role in the mitigation of climate change effects.

This webinar seeks to understand the connection between the WPS framework and the security implications of climate change. We are particularly interested in how the WPS agenda can assist in recognising and addressing the specific challenges faced by women, empowering them through gender-responsive policies and programs, and promoting their leadership and participation. We see these as essential steps towards achieving climate justice and security.