Through support to analysis and action on the frontlines, the Climate Security Mechanism (CSM) works with the UN system and its partners to analyze climate, peace and security (CPS) linkages, develop inclusive and forward-looking risk management strategies, and identify opportunities for co-benefits between peacebuilding and climate action. To do this, the CSM draws on its partnerships across sectors as well as with Member States, regional and sub-regional organizations, civil society and the global research community.

The CSM has launched 16 context-specific initiatives at regional, country and community level that address the linkages between climate change, peace and security and catalyze action. Through those initiatives and beyond, the CSM has so far supported more than 20 UN Country Teams (UNCTs) and missions in integrating CPS risks in analytical and planning processes. The CSM has worked with partners to deploy and backstop seven CPS advisors in UN field missions (adding to the pre-existing UNSOM advisor) and three in regional and sub-regional organizations. The CSM also supports the strategic planning of UNCTs and Resident Coordinator Offices (RCOs), bringing a voice to CPS across mandate areas, and works with country offices of UN entities and other partners to implement catalytic initiatives that address CPS challenges.

The regional level is an increasingly important angle for the CSM’s work, to allow for tailored approaches while remaining close to international policy fora and actors and thus strengthening the policy-practice loop. Regionalization has gained ground, as exemplified by IGAD’s decision to establish the world’s first Regional Climate Security Coordination Mechanism to be supported by a new UN CPS Hub for the Horn of Africa in Nairobi, housed in the UN Office of the Special Envoy, with support from the CSM. This is aligned with a recommendation in the Secretary-General’s policy brief on A New Agenda for Peace for the UN and regional organizations to establish joint regional hubs on CPS.

All initiatives are rooted in gender-sensitive analysis and participatory approaches, which are necessary preconditions for sustainable solutions. The CSM supports analysis and solution design by helping partners to identify, collect and apply existing analysis, methodologies, tools and initiatives relevant to their specific contexts and climate-related peace and security challenges, and connect to relevant local and international expertise, building on CSM guidance materials such as the Toolbox and on its broader advocacy, knowledge management and capacity building efforts.

The deployment of CPS advisors and experts (CPSAs) where feasible and appropriate, based on demand from UN missions and regional organizations, has marked an important milestone. Their value has been recognized in multiple UN fora, including the Security Council and UNFCCC COPs. By supporting and connecting the already existing capacities and work being done in their organizations, CPSAs deliver technical advice on risk analysis, climate policy and finance, foresight and modelling, and gender-sensitive solution design. They provide knowledge and expertise on the complex ways in which CPS linkages play out in specific contexts, while acting as bridgebuilders between different UN entities and regional actors.