Capacity gap assessment from the Climate, Peace and Security Experts Academy

The Capacity needs assessment is a pioneering effort to better understand the evolving field of climate, peace, and security (CPS) practice. Conducted under the Climate, Peace and Security Experts Academy, a joint initiative of the Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), as the secretariat of the COP27 Presidency Initiative “Climate Responses for Sustaining Peace” (CRSP), and the UNDP, the assessment unpacks key challenges and needs identified by policymakers and practitioners from regions grappling with the double burden of climate change vulnerability and conflict fragility. By doing so, it aims to inform and guide future capacity-building efforts, providing robust evidence based for policymakers and practitioners working on climate, peace and security. 

The unique data collected between 2022-2024 reveals global commonalities in climate, peace and security challenges even as geographical priorities exists. Across all continents, the key challenges are resource scarcity and competition, climate displacement and migration, and sustainable livelihoods. Also, weak governance and underlying vulnerabilities were emphasized as key factors amplifying climate-related security risks for communities and nations. 

The findings indicate a critical need to enhance both programming and policy capacities. The most requested support areas include finance mobilization, policy development and evidence and advocacy. A significant challenge revolves around financing. Opportunities for funding remain limited, partly because funding mechanisms often don't specifically target climate, peace and security field, and partly because governments and donors are not prioritizing the interlinkages.