Bridging the climate, peace, and security science-policy divide
When: 22 October 2025 | 14:30 to 17:00 CEST
Format: 90-minute panel discussion and coffee reception
Venue: Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF), Ludwigkirchplatz 3-4, Berlin
Registration for this side event is now closed.
Overview:
Over the past decades, the impact of climate change on conflict and security has become an important topic in both academic literature and policy debate. A significant body of research has emerged and continues to expand. In the policy context, the issue has evolved into a growing agenda across the United Nations system, the African Union, ASEAN, the European Union, NATO, and even at recent COPs.
Although both academic and policy communities are working broadly within the same field, they often operate in parallel and are not as informed about each other’s work, progress, challenges, and latest developments as one might expect. This results in missed opportunities for cooperation and cross-fertilisation. This side event is part of ZIF and XCEPT’s shared commitment to bring the policy and scientific communities together to discuss the state of the science-policy interface in the CPS space, and to take stock of where knowledge flows well, where gaps remain, and where there may be room for further innovation and new partnerships.
Objectives:
- Connect researchers and policymakers working on climate, peace, and security.
- Highlight gaps and opportunities in the science-policy interface.
- Share insights from interdisciplinary research under the XCEPT programme.
- Encourage collaboration and new partnerships across sectors.
About the organisers:
This side event will be co-organised by the XCEPT research programme and the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF), building on their shared commitment to interdisciplinary research and policy engagement.
XCEPT brings together global and local experts to study conflict-affected borderlands, cross-border dynamics, and the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour. Funded by UK International Development, it produces public-good research to inform policy and practice.
ZIF has worked on Climate, Peace and Security (CPS) since 2019, supporting EU–UN policy processes and seconding German experts to multilateral organisations. Since 2022, it has been a partner of the Berlin Climate and Security Conference and co-hosted various sessions and workshops.
Provisional programme:
Opening remarks: Tobias Pietz, Lead Climate Security and EU, Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF)
Moderator: Tabea Campbell Pauli, Independent Consultant and Former XCEPT Senior Programme Officer, The Asia Foundation’s Conflict & Fragility unit, and the X-Border Local Research Network in Myanmar.
Panel Speakers:
- Dr Tobias Ide, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations, Murdoch University; XCEPT Conflict and Climate Research Fellow
- Dr Cedric de Coning, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI); Principal Investigator for XCEPT research on climate-related peace and security risks in the Lake Chad Basin
- Kheira Tarif, Researcher, SIPRI Climate Change and Risk Programme
- TBD (Policy expert)
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