ENVIRONMENT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
The case of Cyprus
By 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-Herzegovina
Korean 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 - Uninhabited
Korean Peace Bio-reserves System
Cyprus Buffer Zone - Exists for last 34 years
Wildlife haven - 3% of Cyprus’ land area
Home to a range of endemic and/or endangered species:
Tulipa cypria
Ophrys kotschyi
Long-legged buzzard
Cyprus mouflon
BUT: disease corridor, pests, invasives and forest fires
The Cyprus context
Independence in 1960
Intercommunal violence in 1963/64
Conflict and partition in 1974
1999-2005 – UNDP/UNOPS BDP
2004 – rejection of “Annan” peace plan and EU accession
2005-2011 –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 control
Forest fires in the buffer zone
Water resources and climate change
Compliance/approximation of EU standards
Biodiversity loss
Coastal 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 GCC
Destruction of habitats in order to “compensate refugees”
Massive development in TCC following Annan Plan rejection
Recognition:
Participation of officials in personal capacity
Civil servants won’t cross buffer zone or share information
Academic institutions don’t recognise each-other
Surreal 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
Strongly Disagree (1,0)
Disagree (2,0)
Not sure/don't know (3,0)
Agree (4,0)
Strongly Agree (5,0)
100%
13%
90%
12%
14%
80%
24%
70%
56%
4%
60%
23%
50%
32%
40%
30%
33%
24%
20%
10%
0%
37%
2%
4%
16%
5%
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots should
collaborate for the conservation of nature in
Cyprus.
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have
different beliefs about nature conservation.
I am against policies that encourage cooperation
between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots for
the conservation of nature in Cyprus.
UNDP-ACT
120 reconciliation projects – of which 23 environmental – $41 m USAID funding (2005-2011)
Networks:
Cyprus Environmental Stakeholder Forum (CESF)
MADAG – Dairy Farming
COAG – Organic Farming
EDF – Pandemic Preparedness
NSF – Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Academic and technical cooperation:
Reforestation project
Mycorrhizae for vegetable farming
Biodiversity research in the buffer zone and PMRs
Waterbird monitoring
Public awareness of common environmental concerns:
Thematic conferences and workshops
Environment Café events
Global Compact Awareness
Mobile information Centre
Impact on the Peace Process
Peace process re-started in 2008 in the form of:
Technical Committees (Environment, Crisis, Health etc.)
Working Groups (Property, Territory, Governance etc.)
Direct Talks between Leaders (October onwards)
Environment technical committee:
Majority of members are ACT project partners
Produced over 60% of all agreements in 2008
Only committee to involve civil society representatives
Some agreements to be funded by ACT (US$ 500,000)
Thank you!