CLIMATE CHANGE AND PEACEBUILDING: THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS ON UNITED NATIONS MISSIONS IN MALI AND SOMALIA

Abstract

The effects of climate change are increasingly evident. This thesis analyzes how climate change affects United Nations (U.N.) peacebuilding missions. Through case studies of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), this thesis identifies how climate change amplifies environmental hazards that work against peacebuilding by undermining security and development. The case studies explore how the U.N. discusses climate change in the respective missions’ official documents. Additionally, the analysis uses economic development and governance as proxies for assessing the missions’ effectiveness at addressing climate change effects as part of their goal of building sustainable peace. The thesis also revisits the cases to analyze how climate change affects peacebuilding on the day-to-day basis of operations execution.The thesis finds that climate change impedes peacebuilding missions’ attempts to create legitimate institutionalized governance and stimulate economic growth. Additionally, climate change creates a capability gap that undermines the execution of peacebuilding operations. The findings underscore the need for climate change-adapted mandates and appropriately equipped “blue helmets” that actively integrate the impacts of climate change into peacebuilding.