Foreword:
The MENA countries have been confronting profound and far-reaching climate shocks. Experts widely agree that human-driven activity intensely shapes escalating climate stressors—including extreme weather events—dwindling natural resources, and persistent environmental degradation. These climate dynamics are expected to deepen existing conflicts, destabilizing an already fragile landscape. Conflict contributes to further visible environmental deterioration, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Despite this intimate interplay, environmental and climate considerations are often ignored during peacebuilding efforts.
More than ever, the situation in the region is shaped by conflict and war. The climate-conflict nexus takes on greater urgency in the Middle East and North Africa. The unpredictable security situation, coupled with rapidly changing conditions on the ground, has presented challenges for this publication: the inclusion of a dedicated chapter on Lebanon had to be reconsidered due to war. The remaining country analyses, however, capture and present the current situation.
This publication marks a collaborative effort between the Arab Reform Initiative and the Robert Bosch Stiftung as part of our joint program, “Conflict, Climate Change and Environment in the Middle East”, which we launched in 2021. The program’s central aim is to create spaces for exchange and sharing expertise among diverse local, national and regional actors, practitioners, and scholars from the MENA. By fostering these connections across sectors and geographies, we are building networks and alliances that support local actors, amplifying the voices of those most affected by both conflict and environmental change. Due to unforeseeable events on the ground, some of the chapters in this publication have been rendered outmoded, a testament to the environment’s volatility during times of conflict.
We extend our deep gratitude to the dedicated contributors of this publication, particularly Hussam Hussein, Sammy Kayed, and Tobias Zumbraegel, whose commitment has helped bring this work to fruition; and to the authors’ meticulous contributions towards each of the chapters. Special thanks go to Zaki Boulos for his careful editorial guidance. Lastly, we are grateful to all the local stakeholders and sources who enriched this publication with their insights and expertise, adding depth and nuance to the analyses.
This publication is both a call to action and a resource, designed to catalyze collaboration and informed action on the complex relationship between climate, conflict, and environment in the MENA.
We look forward to continuing this vital work alongside all those committed to building resilience and fostering sustainable peace in the region.
Beirut/Berlin/Paris/Stuttgart, March 2025
Sarine Karajerjian – Arab Reform Initiative
Irene Weinz – Robert Bosch Stiftung
Table of Contents:
Introduction: Beneath the Nexus: Connecting Participatory Processes, Conflict, and Environmental Breakdown in MENA – Sammy Kayed, Tobias Zumbraegel, and Hussam Hussein
Iraq: Climate Change and Community Perceptions in the Nineveh Province of Iraq – Shivan Fazil
Jordan: Participatory Approaches in the Jordanian Water Sector: A Reflection – Hussam Hussein
Libya: Conflict Securitization of Climate Disasters in Libya – Asma Khalifa
Palestine: Gaza Under Fire – The Environmental Impact on Agricultural Land – Abeer Butmeh
Sudan: Case Studies of Participatory Approaches in Sudan – Abdalftah Hamed Ali
Syria: Environment and Conflict in Syria: The Case for Participatory Approaches in Agriculture – Sarine Karajerjian
Yemen: Community-Based Water and Environment Practices: Yemen’s Local Farmers and Water User Associations – Ahmed Al-wadaey
Conclusion: Toward an Actionable Nexus: Conflict, Environmental Breakdown, and the Transformative Potential of Participatory Processes and Innovation in MENA – Sammy Kayed, Tobias Zumbraegel, and Hussam Hussein
The views represented in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Arab Reform Initiative, its staff, or its board.
