Climate Action

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Environmental degradation poses a severe threat to social cohesion. Issues such as water scarcity, deforestation, and climate change can exacerbate existing social tensions, often leading to conflict. For instance, unequal access to natural resources can fuel grievances and widen social divides, undermining the sense of community and shared identity that is central to social cohesion.

On the other hand, a healthy environment can foster social cohesion by providing shared spaces and resources that promote interaction, cooperation, and a collective identity. Joint natural resource management, for example, has been recognized as a means to strengthen cooperation and trust—key components of social cohesion that contribute to peacebuilding efforts. 

Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is also the presence of conditions that eliminate structural violence and inequity. Positive peace (or Peace+), which encompasses the establishment of social systems that serve the needs of the entire population, is crucial for both environmental sustainability and social cohesion.  In settings where positive peace is nurtured, communities are better equipped to manage environmental resources sustainably and equitably. This, in turn, supports social cohesion by ensuring that all members of society have access to the resources they need to thrive, thereby reducing potential sources of conflict.