Natural Resource-Based Conflict Resolution
Natural resources – land, water, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, minerals and genetic material – are essential to food production, rural development and sustainable livelihoods. A lack of access to natural resources is often the underlying cause of many conflicts around the world. When managed properly however, as part of a peacebuilding strategy, these same resources can also be utilized, and their benefits shared to generate sustainable livelihoods that help guarantee peace and achieve sustainable human development. Unfortunately, conflicts over these resources, long a feature of human history, are likely to increase in many regions because of rising demand for food, fibre and energy, as well as the loss and degradation of productive land. Conflicts will be further exacerbated by changing growing conditions, increased water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, extreme weather events and other effects of climate change. If productive agriculture is to be safeguarded, these challenges will have to be addressed. The overall aim of ACRES program is to strengthen the capacity of stakeholder (local authorities, donors, CSOs, enterprises, communities, beneficiaries to understand and respond to the conflict risks and peacebuilding opportunities presented by natural resources and environment.
Traditional elders meeting under the shade of a tree to resolve a natural resource-based conflict