Bridging Research and Policy on Climate Change and Conflict

Area of Science:

• Climate change and conflict studies
• Policy and practice integration
• International security and diplomacy

Background:

• A 2018 workshop convened by the Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO) and the Wilson Center.
• Six papers explore translating climate-conflict research into policy and practice.
• Highlights opportunities and challenges in linking climate-conflict scholarship with diplomacy, development, and security.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the workshop and its resulting papers.
• To identify key opportunities and challenges in bridging climate change and conflict research with policy.
• To inform policy and practice on the climate-conflict nexus.

Main Methods:

• Application of multiple research methods, particularly comparative case studies.
• Development of predictive models incorporating contextual factors and policy interactions.
• Utilization of decision-support tools, such as integrated assessment models.

Main Results:

• Comparative case studies enhance understanding of complex climate-conflict mechanisms and policy engagement.
• Predictive models and integrated assessment tools are needed to test theories and policy implications.
• Effective translation of research requires tailored approaches for policymakers.

Conclusions:

• Scholars must engage policymakers to develop more relevant research questions, focusing on intervention effectiveness.
• Frameworks are needed to help practitioners synthesize academic findings on climate and conflict.
• Collaboration between academics and practitioners can improve data collection and analysis for policy.