Communities around the world are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and growing competition over natural resources are already disrupting livelihoods and heightening tensions, particularly in conflict-affected and fragile settings. Today, an estimated three billion people live in climate-vulnerability hotspots, many in areas already grappling with instability.
To help address these challenges, UNEP and the European Union have launched the Knowledge Hub for Locally Led Action on Climate, Peace and Security – an online platform is designed to support communities, practitioners and policymakers in developing and implementing conflict-sensitive, nature-based and participatory approaches to build peace-positive climate resilience. It brings together tools, case studies and learning materials that show how locally led action can help prevent conflict, strengthen cooperation and promote climate justice.
Locally Led Action on Climate, Peace and Security emphasizes valuing and mobilising participatory processes, and utilising Nature-based Solutions to achieve conflict-sensitive and peace-positive climate resilience. By involving communities directly, projects gain local insights, legitimacy, and greater long-term impact. Participatory processes help uncover underlying issues — such as pre-existing grievances or unrecognized resource stressors — ensuring that interventions are comprehensive and inclusive.
Rooted in the EU–UNEP Partnership on Climate, Environment, Peace and Security, the Knowledge Hub builds on years of joint work in fragile and conflict-affected regions. Since 2017, the Partnership has supported local, national and regional actors to better understand and address the links between climate risks, environmental degradation and peace.
A space to learn, share and act
The Knowledge Hub brings together three main components that turn knowledge into practical, locally led action.
- The Toolkit for Locally Led Action offers practical guidance for facilitators, project managers and communities to design and implement conflict-sensitive, nature-based solutions for adaptation. It provides adaptable tools, worksheets and participatory methods that can be applied across different contexts.
- The EU–UNEP Partnership section highlights how the European Union and UNEP work together to help communities address climate and environmental risks that threaten peace and stability. It features regional projects, analytical tools such as the Strata geospatial platform, and examples of how evidence-based action is shaping local resilience.
- The Resource Library brings together reports, online courses and data tools that help users understand risks, share solutions and connect with global networks. It also includes a glossary and case studies showcasing how locally led and nature-based approaches can promote peace and resilience.
Why it matters
Climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly shaping global peace and security dynamics. Building resilience in such contexts requires local leadership, reliable data and shared learning. The Knowledge Hub provides all three. It connects practitioners across regions, promotes evidence-based decision-making and offers practical tools that can be adapted to diverse contexts.
As highlighted in the UN’s New Agenda for Peace (2023), tackling the climate crisis and promoting peace demand innovative, inclusive and justice-oriented solutions. The Knowledge Hub contributes to this vision by empowering local actors to take the lead and turn global policy commitments into real change on the ground, where climate action is needed the most.
Explore Climate, Peace and Security – a knowledge hub for locally led action and discover how locally led action can drive peace-positive climate resilience.
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