Climate, peace and security: Mindanao, Philippines

Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, is a region marked by decades of armed conflict, particularly between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), culminating in a historic peace agreement and the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). While the region is undergoing a fragile transition toward peace, it remains highly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as flooding, droughts, and extreme weather events, which disproportionately affect its agriculture-dependent communities and risk exacerbating existing tensions. In this post-conflict setting, integrating climate risk management and resilience-building strategies into peacebuilding and development efforts is essential to securing a durable peace. By addressing climate-related vulnerabilities and promoting sustainable livelihoods, interventions can strengthen social cohesion, reduce the likelihood of resource-based conflicts, and support inclusive and equitable recovery for communities still navigating the legacies of violence and marginalization. This report summarizes five intersection pathways between climate, peace and security in Mindanao, which were developed through a multiple methods approach. It also puts forward a set of policy and porgramming recommendations towards climate action the mitigates underlying drivers of conflict and contributes to a sustainable peace.

Medina, L.; Savelli, A.; Torres, M.A.