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Natural Resources, Conflict and Cooperation

October 2020

The Peacebuilding Implications of Energy Transitions to a Carbon-Neutral Future

This paper forms the second in a QUNO series on energy and peacebuilding. It follows on from the 2018 paper, “The Role of Decentralized Renewable Energy in Peacebuilding”, by Isobel Edwards, which explored the role of decentralized renewable energy as a peacebuilding tool. This paper explores the peacebuilding implications of energy transitions towards a carbon-neutral future. It examines, on the one hand, the potential risks that abrupt or unmanaged ‘cut off points’ from fossil fuels may pose for peace, and the role that sustainable and just transitions can play in mitigating this.

This is a working paper, designed to encourage further discussions around energy transitions and peacebuilding. Comments are welcome and can be sent to quno@quno.ch.

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December 2018

The role of decentralized renewable energy in peacebuilding

Can energy ever be used as a tool for peacebuilding instead of a cause of conflict? What peacebuilding tools are already at our disposal for reducing the likelihood of violent conflict related to energy extraction and natural resource stress related to climate change? This publication explores the role of decentralized renewable energy as a peacebuilding tool, in global efforts for a net-zero carbon energy transition. 

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May 2015

Building peace through Principle 10

QUNO Geneva have produced a new publication that focuses on the potential of environmental rights agreements to prevent destructive conflict around natural resources. “Building Peace through Principle 10, Access rights and the prevention of environmental conflict”, is a contribution to the ongoing negotiations to conclude a regional agreement for Latin America and the Caribbean on the right to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice, in environmental matters. It uses case studies from the region to illustrate how public participation in decision-making around natural resources contributes not only to sustainable but also to peaceful and equitable development. This publication was sent personally to each of the country delegates, and civil society representatives, to the negotiations in Santiago de Chile.

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March 2015

Oral Statement in response to the Report of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights and the environment to the 28th session of the HRC

QUNO delievered an oral statement in response to the Report of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The oral statement is a joint statement from the QUNO programmes on Natural Resource Conflict and Cooperation, and Climate Change. The statement was delivered by Programme Assistant David Elliott at the 28th Session of the Human Rights Council on the Promotion and Protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.

Text and video (beginning at 02:37:04) of the statement are available below.

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December 2013

All voices heard: natural resources, conflict and company-community engagement

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights call for businesses to meaningfully engage with groups who will be affected by their business activities. Businesses are increasingly aware of the importance of engaging with local communities throughout the process of a business activity, starting at the planning stages of a project. Civil society groups are advocating a shift from community ‘consultation’ to more meaningful models of community participation in planning and decision making. These approaches are particularly important in projects that affect local access to, and control of, natural resources such as land, water and food.

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September 2013

Building Peace around water, land and food: Policy and practice for preventing conflict

Water and land are two of the key natural resources that shape billions of peoples’ livelihoods, food security, wellbeing and identity. Developing management of water, land and food that is equitable and peaceful is an increasingly challenging task due to a multitude of factors – such as resource degradation, population growth and violent conflict – that can fuel tensions and exacerbate vulnerabilities around natural resources. Increasing climate uncertainties now lend an additional urgency to the need to develop appropriate policy and practice at international, national and local levels.

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March 2013

Geneva Reporter

Geneva's newsletter from January to March 2013. Featured stories:​

  • QUNO engagement with climate talks
  • Natural resources, conflict and cooperation
  • Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners
  • Highlights from QUNO New York

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March 2013

Statement to the Independent Expert on human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment

The statement encourages the Independent Expert to consider the following:

  • The role that peacebuilding approaches can play in fulfilling procedural rights, in order to achieve both substantive rights and effective environmental poliy, and
  • How small farmers, rural communities and marginalised sections of society can effectively participate in consultation and decision-making processes that relate to their environment.

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September 2012

Statement on the Human Right to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation

This statement welcomes the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, and discusses Quaker perspectives on the issue.

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August 2012

Geneva Reporter

Geneva's newsletter from May to August 2012. Featured stories:

  • Water, conflict and cooperation
  • Conscientious objection to military service
  • Highlights from QUNO New York
  • News in brief
  • Children of parents sentenced to death: New work at QUNO Geneva

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January 2009

Geneva Reporter

QUNO Geneva's newsletter from November 2008 to January 2009. Featured stories:

  • The Future of Armed Violence and Development
  • Universal Periodic Review
  • Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations at the WTO
  • Arms Control and the Art of Putting People First
  • Caroline Dommen joins QUNO Staff Team and other staff news

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