Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative
Environmental degradation and competition over natural resources can lead to political disputes and threaten stability. Environmental co-operation, on the other hand can contribute to conflict prevention and confidence building.
The Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative was founded in 2003 to address these linkages between the environment and security. Since then, the Initiative has developed into a unique multi-agency programme operating in four regions: Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
A platform for co-operation - The ENVSEC Initiative is a partnership of five international organizations – the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) ,– with specialized, but complementary mandates and expertise, that provides an integrated response to environment and security challenges.
The ENVSEC Initiative promotes transboundary co-operation for environmentally sound management of shared natural resources, including in 13 transboundary water basins in the ENVSEC regions.
The ENVSEC Initiative supports assessments, strengthens capacities for, preparedness and emergency response, and promotes community engagement in order to prevent or minimize the risks from past, present, and future activities involving hazardous substances.
The ENVSEC Initiative conducts participatory assessments of security implications of climate change, identifies geographical hot spots, and supports transboundary climate change adaptation measures.
The ENVSEC Initiative contributes to strengthening disaster risk reduction at regional, national and local levels through enhancing prevention, preparedness, awareness, and early warning.
The ENVSEC Initiative enhances public awareness on environment and security linkages, facilitates access to environmental information and public participation, promotes access to justice in environmental matters and strengthens the capacities of civil society to respond to these challenges.