Resilience is the best defence: Improving local and national responses to climate change and security
International Alert’s latest research, produced in collaboration with the South Asia Network for Security and Climate Change (SANSaC), looks at the relationship between the environment and security in South Asia.
The research examines the links between climate change and community resilience in fragile contexts in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. The four case studies illustrate the current levels of risk and resilience to environmental change at the village level in each country, the double threat of climate change and insecurity, and the underlying obstacles to building local and national resilience to climate change in each country.
The case studies highlight a number of potential responses for ensuring greater resilience to climate variability:
- The importance of strong, accountable, participatory and effective local governance;
- Equitable management of and access to natural resources;
- Climate-sensitive alternative livelihoods;
- Fair access to credit; and
- Peaceful and safe management of migration.
An overview of the four case studies, including a look at the emerging trends across South Asia and the implications of climate change and security on policy at the national and local levels, is presented in the executive summary.