Peace and Sustainable Development through Environmental Security: A Methodology for Environmental Security Assessments

The IES mission is to make global environmental security a core principle of international policies by promoting the maintenance of the regenerative capacity of life supporting ecosystems, in order to secure the conditions for peace and sustainable development. To achieve this goal the IES utilises a multidisciplinary approach with five components: science, diplomacy, law, finance and education.

There are ongoing initiatives and proposals for each component but because of the interdisciplinary nature, the efforts and results overlap. One of the main IES programmes is Environmental Security for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA), a five year programme (2006-2010) with the overall objective of helping to secure the natural resource livelihood basis of local communities in the selected study areas.

To facilitate the execution of these goals, IES carries out Environmental Security Assessments (ESAs) in vulnerable areas. In 2004, the IES embarked on the development of, and continues to develop, a methodology for these ESAs. The general definition of this methodology is a multidisciplinary systematic set of procedures for identifying and analysing threats to environmental security; formulating recommendations aimed at conserving the environment, sustainable development and preventing violent conflict; and, identifying actors for the implementation and follow up of environmental security (multi-year) action plans.

When applied to study areas, the method aims to balance development with environmental protection; and, relies on existing research, development programs and local stakeholders (SH), thus avoiding duplication and employing comparative advantage. 

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Subjects

DEV DEVELOPMENT
ENV ENVIRONMENT
PEA PEACE / SECURITY