ENVIRONMENT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTIONThe case of CyprusBy Nicolas Jarraud – UNDP-ACT

Summary

Environment in peace-building

Environment as a source of conflict

Environment as a “victim” of conflict

Preservation of habitats in demilitarised areas

The Cyprus context

Island-wide issues in Cyprus

Obstacles to environmental peace-building

Attitudes towards environmental cooperation

Bi-communal environmental projects in Cyprus

Environment and the Peace Process

Environment in Peace-Building

HDR: “All too often, religious, cultural, and ethnic identity are treated as a source of division and difference from others. In the face of all these differences, Climate Change provides a potent reminder of the one thing we share in common. It is called planet Earth. All nations and all people share the same atmosphere. And we only have one”UNEP’s Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch has secured trans-boundary cooperation on pressing environmental issues between Israelis and Palestinians. WHO/DFID “peace through health” project in Bosnia-HerzegovinaKorean Peace Bioreserves System

Environment as a source of conflict

Competition for natural resources (e.g. water) – HDR: environmental problems such as Climate Change increase the gap between rich and poor, may cause large population movements, and in the ensuing resentment and scramble for resources, conflict can follow. Ironically, countries with the most abundant natural resources are often wrecked by conflict (e.g. DRC)Competition for resources (Nile waters, mineral resources)Resources used to fund conflict (diamonds, hardwood timber)

Environment as a victim of conflict

Palestine: “Long-term environmental degradation has occurred over the decades spanning several conflicts. In an already densely populated area, there are additional problems of scarcity of water resources and land, rapid population growth, long-lasting refugee situation, climate change, desertification and land degradation.”Kosovo (pollution from air strikes e.g. on oil refinery)Sudan: Scorched-earth campaigns in Darfur

Afghanistan – “The most serious issue in Afghanistan is the long-term environmental degradation caused, in part, by a complete collapse of local and national forms of governance.”

Preservation of habitats in demilitarised areas

Korean DMZ – Exists for last 45 years - UninhabitedKorean Peace Bio-reserves System

Cyprus Buffer Zone - Exists for last 34 yearsWildlife haven - 3% of Cyprus’ land areaHome to a range of endemic and/or endangered species:

Tulipa cypriaOphrys kotschyiLong-legged buzzardCyprus mouflon

BUT: disease corridor, pests, invasives and forest fires

The Cyprus context

Independence in 1960Intercommunal violence in 1963/64Conflict and partition in 19741999-2005 – UNDP/UNOPS BDP2004 – rejection of “Annan” peace plan and EU accession2005-2011 –UNDP-ACT promoting reconciliation ($41 m)2008 – resumption of peace talks – technical committees

Island-wide issues in Cyprus

Waste management (joint WWTP since 1978)Pandemics and public health (AI, FMD, Echinococcus, Malaria)Pollution (water and air) Pest controlForest fires in the buffer zoneWater resources and climate changeCompliance/approximation of EU standardsBiodiversity lossCoastal zone management

Obstacles to environment peace-building

Culture of blame:During public health crises (AI, FMD)Blaming the other community for deforestation whilst undertaking the same practices. Blaming the 1974 conflict on environmental degradation:

No environment ministry in GCCDestruction of habitats in order to “compensate refugees”Massive development in TCC following Annan Plan rejection

Recognition:Participation of officials in personal capacityCivil servants won’t cross buffer zone or share informationAcademic institutions don’t recognise each-otherSurreal vocabulary required in order to avoid causing offence

Fragmentation of environmental civil society

Public attitudes to environmental cooperation Source: RAI Consultants Public Ltd – 998 respondents

5%

16%

37%

4%

24%

32%

2%

23%

4%56%

13% 12%

14%

24%

33%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots shouldcollaborate for the conservation of nature in

Cyprus.

Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots havedifferent beliefs about nature conservation.

I am against policies that encourage cooperationbetween Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots for

the conservation of nature in Cyprus.

Strongly Disagree (1,0) Disagree (2,0) Not sure/don't know (3,0) Agree (4,0) Strongly Agree (5,0)

UNDP-ACT 120 reconciliation projects – of which 23 environmental – $41 m USAID funding (2005-2011)

Networks:Cyprus Environmental Stakeholder Forum (CESF)MADAG – Dairy FarmingCOAG – Organic FarmingEDF – Pandemic PreparednessNSF – Integrated Coastal Zone Management

Academic and technical cooperation:Reforestation projectMycorrhizae for vegetable farmingBiodiversity research in the buffer zone and PMRsWaterbird monitoring

Public awareness of common environmental concerns:Thematic conferences and workshopsEnvironment Café eventsGlobal Compact AwarenessMobile information Centre

Impact on the Peace Process

Peace process re-started in 2008 in the form of:Technical Committees (Environment, Crisis, Health etc.)Working Groups (Property, Territory, Governance etc.)Direct Talks between Leaders (October onwards)

Environment technical committee:Majority of members are ACT project partnersProduced over 60% of all agreements in 2008Only committee to involve civil society representativesSome agreements to be funded by ACT (US$ 500,000)

Thank you!