Updated: May 18
In recent years, humanity has been faced with unparalleled challenges. The effects of climate change and ecological threats are impacting local communities, business operations, and further intensifying humanitarian emergencies. But, as communities become more peaceful, they develop the capacity to mitigate ecological shocks and overcome their impact on other dimensions. The benefits of Positive Peace are far-reaching and transformative for local communities as well as for the private sector.
Together with the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), Greenfish hosted a three-part webinar series on Positive Peace and Climate Change Mitigation, focusing on the link between Positive Peace, ecological threats, sustainability, and the business world.
The webinars were divided in the following 3 episodes:
- How can Positive Peace make business more profitable?
- How are peace and environmental issues connected?
- Engaging in Positive Peace and Climate Change Mitigation
You can find the recordings of the first two webinars below, and you are still welcome to sign up for the third and final webinar on 14 April at 15h30 (CET) through this link:
1. How can Positive Peace make business more profitable?
In 2020, the economic impact of violence was estimated at $14.96 trillion, equivalent to the economy of China (IEP Global Peace Index 2021). In contrast, the increase in peace provides a commensurate increase in business opportunities, productivity levels, trade and foreign investment. Positive peace is therefore the most optimal environment for societies and businesses to flourish.
Through the lens of Positive Peace, the observation that economic performance and peace are mutually reinforcing offers the private and public sectors new ways to assess risks and opportunities for investment, identify opportunities in underserved countries, and develop meaningful CSR policies and sustainable initiatives.
This first webinar in the Positive Peace and Climate Change Mitigation series focused on the concept of Positive Peace and its Eight Pillars. The speakers highlighted its benefits in the economic system and therefore explained how Positive Peace can make business more profitable and support a healthy economy.
Watch the first webinar of the series here:
2. How are peace and environmental issues connected?
According to the IEP’s Ecological Threat Report 2021, approximately 2.4 billion people are experiencing food insecurity and 2.6 billion people live in countries exposed to high and extreme water stress.
It is known that ecological vulnerability is significantly linked to conflict and that countries with sufficient socio-economic resilience or Positive Peace are more likely to absorb ecological shocks. As resource scarcity leads to conflict, and the resulting conflict to resource degradation, a vicious circle is formed. To efficiently address these challenges, it is therefore essential to increase resilience and the level of peacefulness.
The private sector must make progress to address the impact of ecological threats on their activities and, most importantly, to avoid harming local communities. Activities that further damage biodiversity and the environment, such as deforestation, can have an impact on communities as a whole – especially those with low levels of resilience and high resource scarcity or exposure to natural disasters. The way forward points to a continued commitment to sustainability and to building community resilience.
Watch the second webinar of the series here:
3. How are peace and environmental issues connected?
With high levels of positive peace, communities are more resilient and able to adapt to ecological shocks. This includes better water management, more efficient farming systems, and the ability to import food when local production is insufficient. In addition, peacefulness brings higher economic benefits to both local communities and businesses.
The concluding webinar of the Positive Peace and Climate Change Mitigation series will focus on the implementation and programming of Positive Peace, sustainability, and building resilience.
This webinar brings together representatives from leading international organisations, foundations, government agencies, NGOs and the private sector. In dynamic breakout rooms, we will discuss practical examples and analyse their commitment to Positive Peace and climate change mitigation.
