Millionsof people are already affected by weather-related shocks every year in WestAfrica and
climate change is highly likely to increase these threats. In thewake of climate change rising
temperatures increasingly irregular rainfalland more frequent natural hazards will endanger
the ways of life of vulnerablepopulation groups in this region and destabilize their human
security. A surgein violence and conflicts could take place. One of the conflict
constellationscould be between farmers and herders. These groups are highly vulnerable
toclimate change due to their dependence on natural resources Millions of people are already
affected by weather-related shocks every year in West Africa and climate change is highly
likely to increase these threats. In the wake of climate change rising temperatures
increasingly irregular rainfall and more frequent natural hazards will endanger the ways of
life of vulnerable population groups in this region and destabilize their human security.
Asurge in violence and conflicts could take place. One of the conflict constellations could be
between farmers and herders. These groups are highly vulnerable to climate change due to their
dependence on natural resources for their subsistence. Furthermore they are historically prone
to enter into conflict over issues of access to natural resources. However social economic
and political circumstances fundamentally influence environmental conflicts. There might thus
be opportunities to face the societal challenges of climate change in a peaceful way and the
political and institutional framework could play an important role in reducing conflict and
violence. In order to explore such a path this study analyses the potential of political
factors (policies and institutions) for the reduction of climate-change-induced or aggravated
conflicts between farmers and herders. After a theoretical demonstration a case study of
agro-pastoral conflicts in Burkina Faso Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana is conducted.
theirsubsistence. Furthermore they are historically prone to enter into conflictover issues of
access to natural resources. However social economic andpolitical circumstances fundamentally
influence environmental conflicts. Theremight thus be opportunities to face the societal
challenges of climate changein a peaceful way and the political and institutional framework
could play animportant role in reducing conflict and violence. In order to explore such apath
this study analyses the potential of political factors (policies and institutions)for the
reduction of climate-change-induced or aggravated conflicts betweenfarmers and herders. After a
theoretical demonstration a case study ofagro-pastoral conflicts in Burkina Faso Côte
d'Ivoire and Ghana is conducted.
