The importance of food systems in a climate crisis for peace and security in the Sahel

Abstract

Conflicts are increasingly analysed as exhibiting a stealth complexity in which triggers and consequences are intricately linked to climate, environmental degradation and the struggle to control a finite pool of natural resources. The climate crisis is a multifaceted reality and, against this background, many pressing priorities compete with each other. The disruptive effect of climate variability and change on food systems is particularly acute and constitutes a direct and tangible threat to livelihoods globally. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate and discuss the importance of food systems under a climate crisis in exacerbating conflicts in the Sahelian region and propose interventions beyond and complementary to the usual military and security solutions. We demonstrate for the Sahel that (i) climate hazards are frequent and exposure to climate variability is high, (ii) hotspots of high climate variability and conflict exist, and (iii) impact pathways by which climate exacerbates food systems that can lead to conflicts are documented in the literature. While these three findings suggest clear links between conflict and climate, we find that (iv) current peace indices do not include climate and food systems indicators and therefore provide an uncomplete picture, and (v) food systems programming for climate adaptation has so far not explicitly considered peace and security outcomes. Furthermore, we propose that food systems programming that truly tackles the climate crisis should take more explicit account of peace and security outcomes in conflict-affected areas.

Using climate financing wisely to address multiple crises

“…PLOS CLIMATE Adapting farming systems and practices in combination with managing and transferring risk can mitigate insecurity and grievances and contribute to peace in the Sahel [43].…”

Food systems transformation in fragile contexts, a practitioner's perspective

“…In addition to destroying agricultural produce, assets, and infrastructure, disasters can cause involuntary migration, labor shortages, and the abandonment of agricultural areas, thus hampering the availability and accessibility of food. Conflict also poses a major challenge to food systems in fragile contexts as it is increasingly caused by, and contributing to, climate extremes, environmental degradation, and natural resource shortages (Läderach et al, 2021). Conflict also reduces household resilience to food security shocks (Brück et al, 2019).…”

“…Recently, staple food prices and food insecurity increased dramatically (de Roo et al, 2020). Moreover, conflict and climate extremes directly reduce the ability of agro-pastoralists to exercise livelihood activities (Läderach et al, 2021). The increasingly variable seasonal weather cycles push traditional herders and farmers of different ethnic groups toward the edge of their communal resilience and result in increased conflict and internal displacement (OECD SWAC, 2020).…”

“…With a few notable exceptions (see Pingali et al, 2005;Townsend et al, 2021;Baliki et al, 2022;von Grebmer et al, 2022) the available literature on food systems transformation treats fragility as either a negative effect of unsustainable intensification (e.g., Rockström et al, 2020), or ignores it entirely. However, there is also evidence that food systems are affected by the climate crisis, which in turn trigger conflicts (Läderach et al, 2021). Politically, a consensus arose from the United Nations Food Systems Summit in 2021 that FNS should be linked to concepts of resilience in protracted crises, and that the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus should be prioritized in fragile contexts.…”

Uptake of agroforestry-based crop management in the semi-arid Sahel – Analysis of joint decisions and adoption determinants

“…As in other parts of the globe, agroforestry helps to provide benefits for the environment, farmer livelihoods and food sovereignty in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (Mbow et al, 2014;Bogie et al, 2018;Leroux et al, 2022). The Sahel region is particularly vulnerable to climate and other shocks, where frequent droughts hamper efforts to eliminate malnutrition and alleviate rural poverty (Läderach et al, 2021). The integration of shrubs and trees into cropping systems has a particularly promising potential in this context.…”