The Challenge of the Double Burden: How to support climate resilient development in conflict-affected Myanmar

Among countries most exposed to climate hazards, many also suffer from armed conflict. Supporting these nations is essential to mitigate the double burden of climate shocks and conflict.

Interventions supporting climate resilient development can have a consequential impact on the peace and security of the climate and conflict-affected countries.

This 3-year postdoctoral research explores climate-development interventions´ impact on climate resilience, peace, and security.

The project aims to improve the understanding of how violent conflict affects climate vulnerability and how climate exposure and violent conflict impact climate vulnerability, as well as how climate-development interventions can affect how international and local organizations supporting climate-development project have navigated the new political and security landscapes since the 2021 coup.

Drawing from political ecology and peace and conflict research, the project analyzes how newly emerged conflict dynamics and tenuous governance arrangements have affected the climate vulnerability in Myanmar. Gendered climate change impacts and intersectional identities are key in unpacking differential vulnerability.

This project focuses on community actors, civil society, and donor organizations and leverages qualitative data collected through fieldwork.

The findings will inform policy actors on conflict-sensitive approaches to climate resilience programming and help avoid the risk of entrenching conflict dynamics.