Climate, Conflict, and Resilience in Ethiopia: Reflections on the Climate Security Stakeholder Workshop

Given that a significant population of Ethiopia relies on subsistence agriculture, climate impacts are manifesting in various forms ranging from food insecurity and water scarcity emanating from prolonged droughts, climate induced displacement and migration. Agriculture accounts for between 40 –50% of Ethiopia’s gross domestic product (GDP). Increased competition over scarce resources has intensified such as pastoralist clashes over grazing land. In addition, pastoralism, itself a long-standing livelihood option for many, has not been spared owing to pastoralist clashes for grazing land.

CGIAR in partnership with the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) under the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) convened a two-day workshop in Addis Ababa from 10 – 11 February 2025. This event brought together a wide array of stakeholders to discuss the nexus of climate, peace, and security. The key objectives of this workshop were to develop a shared understanding of the role of climate in exacerbating root causes of vulnerability and human security risks in Ethiopia, and to identify potential solutions that mitigate these challenges.

Key Take-Aways:

Below are some key reflections:

1. The compound effects of the climate crisis demands increased collaboration across the HDP nexus – James Murombedzi, the Director for the Africa Climate Policy Centre highlighted the importance of partnerships in climate response, saying “we cannot solve climate problems in isolation”. Collaboration among the different actors and responders in the climate security space in Ethiopia is lacking. Participants recognized and acknowledged that working in silos often results in duplication of initiatives and sometimes over-resourcing/under-resourcing some priorities leading to inefficient use of resources. More coordinated efforts could be done through several avenues e.g., joint programming, joint research, and joint fund-raising, among others.
   • Unlocking finance through domestic funding sources will be key to increase adaptative capacities –Noting the limitations on institutions as well as communities implementing effective solutions vis-a-vis constrained funding, participants recognized the importance of unlocking domestic financial resources which would engender a more self-reliant approach to address climate change impacts. The need to explore innovative finance mechanisms, unlock private sector financing, promote community-based funding initiatives, and leverage local resources were some of the ways suggested to unlock climate change financing
   • Sustainability of climate change and climate security responses: Most projects failed to sustain beyond the project timeline when funds and resources from responders ceased. Reasons highlighted include uncoordinated stakeholder responses, limited implementation capacities and over-reliance on external funding. Participants was to work towards unlocking domestic financing models, develop and integrate sustainability in project planning and implementation as well as continuous monitoring and evaluation of interventions and responses.
2. Capacity building of implementing entities at national and local is low – Ethiopia has a well-advanced policy and institutional framework vis-a-vis climate change. However, what appeared to be lagging are the capacities to implement. Strengthening institutional capacities of local and national stakeholders is crucial to driving policy into action.
3. Financing for peace and development – Rural financing and infrastructural development were identified as cornerstones for building climate resilience and adaptation. Insights shared by IFAD emphasized access to clean water flowing into and out of rural homes, improving transport infrastructure and integrating technology into rural development strategies as key to building resilience, improving food and water security and crucially, as key building blocks towards peace positive societies.
   • History, geography, and politics of vulnerabilities –There’s need for all players in Africa to understand climate security challenges from the broader global inequalities that have historically disadvantaged the continent and that persist in post-colonial Africa. Here, the discussion focused on the marginalization of Africa in global decision-making processes and its perpetual cycle of aid and debt. We need to understand climate change challenges within the broader systemic issues and historical injustices and crucially, how these contribute to the current vulnerabilities and emerging climate security challenges.
4. Climate displaced people, compared to conflict displaced people, demand from more integration in places of destination –According to an IOM survey on durable solutions for climate and conflict affected communities, there is no one-size fits all. Durable solutions differ for conflict-displaced vs climate-displaced people. IOM’s evidence showed that those displaced by conflict are more likely to prefer returning to their places of origin, while those displaced by climate change generally prefer to integrate locally in the host areas.
5. More scientific evidence is needed on climate-induced displacement – Participants agreed on the importance of building a robust evidence base focused on climate-induced displacement. The general consensus was that for responses to be effective, it is essential to understand the complexities surrounding the climate change and climate security nexus. This understanding will enable a comprehensive analysis of the drivers, patterns, and impacts of climate-related displacement. Compelling evidence must inform sustainable solutions that address actual realities of displaced populations.
   • Data is often not accessible (not digitalized) or exists in formats that are not suitable to inform interventions –the challenge of access to research data as well as interpretation of available data. Despite the wealth of existing research, these studies remain underutilized, owing to inadequate sharing practices and institutional lack of collaboration and sharing. Little wonder, whilst there are many existing studies, many climate actors are not aware of their existence. Research must be more accessible, we need accessible platforms for disseminating research findings. Also, enhancing stakeholders capacity to interpret research data is crucial.
   • A common framework on climate resilience is needed – Whilst it was agreed that there is a large body of research evidence on climate security, There is concern on differing terminologies used by different policy makers and responders across contexts and institutions. We need to move towards a collective understanding of resilience via a shared framework to guide policy makers and researchers.
   • Balancing humanitarian – development interventions – Climate change has spurred greater need for humanitarian assistance in vulnerable communities. Nonetheless, a balance is necessary. Whilst humanitarian aid is essential in crisis-affected contexts, this type of aid is not sustainable because, by its very nature, humanitarian aid is not sustainable long-term. This resonates well with the sentiments expressed by the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Ethiopia, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov that “we should not continue to just give fish to people but rather, we should teach people to fish for themselves.”
6. Mental health is often overlooked during displacement – Based on UNHCR data, mental health is often overlooked during displacements as other issues are prioritized e.g. livelihoods, food security, conflicts. Yet the impacts of displacement, in particular protracted and repeated cycles of displacement, potentially bear dire psychological impacts e.g. trauma, anxiety, depression, suicides etc.
7. Locally led adaptation solutions should be prioritized – Affected communities possess invaluable knowledge about their own environment due to their lived experience. The integration of local traditional knowledge into crisis response and adaptation should be prioritized in climate response. Climate responses must engage with locals in decision making and include local knowledge to foster more sustainable localized solutions that (1) reflect the realities on the ground of affected communities and (2) promote effective just transition responses for affected communities and (3) recognize that vulnerable communities have differentiated needs that require a case-by case approach in mitigating their challenges (they should not be treated as a homogenous group).

The wrap- up:

Establishing a community of practice (CoP) to promote collaborations is essential beyond the workshop. Following a detailed workshop report, the climate security team will reach out to the workshop participants to define a CoP and select a communication channel where all interested members can participate in discussions. The platform will be used for continuous engagement to discuss climate security topics on a rotational basis.

Authors: Joyce Takaindisa, Grazia Pacillo, Radhika Singh, Brenda Chepngetich & Victor Villa (Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT)