Episode 58: Shared waters, shared stakes: Science diplomacy and conflict prevention in the Bay of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal is home to a quarter of humanity, and it is under pressure. Geopolitical competition, declining fish stocks, and the intensifying impacts of climate change are straining a shared maritime environment on which hundreds of millions of people depend. As resources grow scarcer, so does the risk of escalation among the region's littoral states.In this episode, Josephine Collier and Alexandra Steinkraus (adelphi) speak with Nicholas Chu and Sreejith Sugunan from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, the organisation which initiated the Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue — the only platform addressing the bay in a holistic sense. Together, we explore how science diplomacy uses scientific cooperation as a neutral entry point for regional collaboration: from tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to facilitating the Kochi Declaration on Marine Science Cooperation. The often overlooked role of women in the fisheries and coastal labour force is also discussed, and why inclusive, gender-responsive approaches to maritime policymaking produce better science and more durable governance outcomes.Further resources: More information about the project Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue synthesis report Impact story: Voices from the Bay - Making a fishing ban work in the Bay of Bengal  © adelphi global, all rights reservedadelphi global (https://adelphi-global.de/en) is an economically and politically independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainability, enhancing environmental protection, improving education, expanding development cooperation, and strengthening international collaborations. Our commitment is reflected in targeted projects, in-depth analyses, and informative educational events, through which we strive for a just and sustainable world.Editing by Paulus Müller-Hahl (Lichtbilder)

In Nigeria's Middle Belt, farmer-herder conflicts over land and natural resources have claimed thousands of lives in recent years. Climate change – through prolonged droughts, irregular rainfall and shrinking grazing lands – is intensifying these pressures, driving displacement and deepening tensions across communities in Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states.In this episode, we speak with Chrisantus Lapang Defuna'an from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. Through an inclusive, climate-sensitive dialogue process facilitated by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue,  communities across the region have signed three natural resource peace agreements that embed provisions for collaborative resource management and climate adaptation. The results are striking: reduced violence, the return of displaced persons, reopened markets, improved food security – and communities now farming and managing shared resources together.Chrisantus reflects on what these agreements have achieved, what the evaluation evidence tells us about what made the difference, and what this model might mean for other regions facing similar climate-driven resource conflicts.Further resources: Multi-Level Approaches to Sustainable Peace in Nigeria’s Middle Belt: Key Findings from Evaluating Climate-Sensitive Peace Programming - report and evaluation synthesis Impact story: Reaching a peace agreement in Nigeria's Middle Belt: Shared natural resource use in the climate crisis  Weathering Risk Peace Pillar spotlight session at BCSC 2025 (watch here) More information about the project here © adelphi global, all rights reservedadelphi global (https://adelphi-global.de/en) is an economically and politically independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainability, enhancing environmental protection, improving education, expanding development cooperation, and strengthening international collaborations. Our commitment is reflected in targeted projects, in-depth analyses, and informative educational events, through which we strive for a just and sustainable world.Editing by Paulus Müller-Hahl (Lichtbilder)

When the International Court of Justice delivered its landmark advisory opinion on climate change in July 2025, it did more than clarify legal obligations — it reframed climate action as a matter of human rights, justice, and global security. In this episode, we speak with Atieh Khatibi, PhD researcher project assistant at the Research Center for Climate Law (ClimLaw: Graz), University of Graz, to unpack what the opinion actually says, where its limits lie, and what it means for multilateral negotiations, domestic policymaking, and climate litigants worldwide. Drawing on her work in Iran, where climate stress, socioeconomic grievance, and political fragility intersect acutely, Atieh further reflects on what the opinion's reach looks like in contexts of active conflict and state fragility. We close by asking: what do high-emitting states, vulnerable nations, and civil society each need to do differently — and where is there reason for optimism? Further resources: The International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: A New Mandate for Climate Security (report) Read the advisory opinion and lastest developments © adelphi global, all rights reservedadelphi global (https://adelphi-global.de/en) is an economically and politically independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainability, enhancing environmental protection, improving education, expanding development cooperation, and strengthening international collaborations. Our commitment is reflected in targeted projects, in-depth analyses, and informative educational events, through which we strive for a just and sustainable world.Editing by Paulus Müller-Hahl (Lichtbilder)

 In Iraq, climate stress is colliding with fragile governance and long-standing social fault lines. Rising heat, shrinking rainfall and worsening water scarcity are reshaping daily life and, without careful stewardship, can deepen tensions between communities and authorities. Yet when climate-related security risks are reframed as shared challenges rather than sources of blame, they can help facilitate dialogue and cooperation. In this episode, we speak with Nike Löble and Peshtiwan Al Dawoudi from the Berghof Foundation about their work strengthening Iraqi capacities to respond to climate risks across five districts. From the Al Zubair Social Pact bridging divides between displaced persons and host communities, to water-sharing agreements in Kalar, we explore what makes climate-focused dialogues effective in contexts marked by deep-seated grievances and mistrust. We also discuss how to measure impact through outcome harvesting and translate evaluation findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners and donors. The project is a part of the Weathering Risk Peace Pillar. More information can be found here.Further resources:Toolkit on climate-focused mediation and dialogueEvaluation synthesisBridging divides between IDPs and host communities in Iraq through dialogues on climate change (impact story)Addressing environmental and water challenges unites divided villages in north eastern Kurdistan Iraq (impact story)Bridging divides and tackling water scarcity: Community dialogue as climate action in Iraq (impact story)Climate security challenges in Iraq: Entry points for local-level dialogue (report)© adelphi global, all rights reservedadelphi global (https://adelphi-global.de/en) is an economically and politically independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainability, enhancing environmental protection, improving education, expanding development cooperation, and strengthening international collaborations. Our commitment is reflected in targeted projects, in-depth analyses, and informative educational events, through which we strive for a just and sustainable world.Editing by Paulus Müller-Hahl (Lichtbilder)

For the last episode of 2025, we're joined by Jonah Thompson, EU Policy Manager at the Center for Countering Digital Hate, who also works on EU policy at Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD). Together, we explore the connection between climate disinformation and security—and how it undermines crisis response, erodes trust and fuels security risks in today's geopolitical climate. Tune in as we unpack the threat landscape, the platform mechanics that amplify harmful narratives, recent examples where misinformation outpaced emergency communications and how climate disinformation attempts to weaken institutions like NATO and the EU. Further reading:Extreme weather: How a storm of false and misleading claims about extreme weather events spread unchecked on social media putting lives as risk (report)The new climate denial: How social media platforms and content producers profit by spreading new forms of climate denial (report)Climate action against disinformation (coalition website)Watch the BCSC 2025 session on climate security and disinformation (video)© adelphi global, all rights reservedadelphi global (https://adelphi-global.de/en) is an economically and politically independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainability, enhancing environmental protection, improving education, expanding development cooperation, and strengthening international collaborations. Our commitment is reflected in targeted projects, in-depth analyses, and informative educational events, through which we strive for a just and sustainable world.Editing by Paulus Müller-Hahl (Lichtbilder)

Marking 25 years of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, in collaboration with UN Women, this episode explores how gender-responsive climate action can pave the way to sustainable peace. We are joined by Norul Rashid and Japhet William Graham Eichel from UN Women’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, who share insights from across the region and beyond. Together, they examine how climate impacts intersect with gender norms and security challenges, and why women’s leadership is vital in building resilience. The discussion highlights grassroots initiatives, such as youth-led climate action in Pakistan and women’s mediation efforts in the Pacific and Afghanistan, exploring both the barriers and transformative potential of women’s participation. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how the four pillars of the WPS agenda—participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery—can address the inseparable challenges of peace and climate resilience.Further reading:  Weathering Two Storms: Gender and Climate in Peace and Security Gender Responsive Climate Security Assessment for Sri Lanka  Disasters, crises and violence against women: Evidence from big data analysis © adelphi global, all rights reservedadelphi global (https://adelphi-global.de/en) is an economically and politically independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainability, enhancing environmental protection, improving education, expanding development cooperation, and strengthening international collaborations. Our commitment is reflected in targeted projects, in-depth analyses, and informative educational events, through which we strive for a just and sustainable world.Editing by Paulus Müller-Hahl (Lichtbilder)

In this episode, we explore the critical intersection of climate, environment, and human security in Brazil with Laís Clemente, Analyst in adelphi’s Climate Diplomacy and Security team. As Brazil prepares to host COP30, Laís unpacks the country’s most pressing climate and environmental challenges, from land and water conflicts to environmental crime and extreme weather, and discusses how Brazil’s unique ecosystems like the Amazon and Cerrado shape both risks and opportunities. We examine the strengths and gaps in Brazil’s policy responses, the importance of empowering local and traditional communities, and the country’s evolving leadership role in global climate diplomacy. Further reading: Report: Climate, environment and human security in Brazil: Response landscape and leadership opportunities

In this episode we're joined by Assem Mayar, independent researcher and Climate Security Expert Network member, specialising in climate change, transboundary water management and environmental security. Assem shares insights on challenges and opportunities in Central Asia and Afghanistan, possible solutions in regional initiatives, decentralised finance and innovative funding mechanisms, as well as what the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty means for wider the region going forward.  Further resources:Policy Brief No. 221: Afghanistan's Climate Crisis: A Call for Decentralised and Inclusive Finance | The Economic Consequences of Climate Change for Afghanistan: Losses, projections... and pathways to mitigation | Left Behind: Why Afghanistan Cannot Tackle Climate Change Alone | The Indus Water Treaty Suspension: A Wake-Up Call for Asia-Pacific Unity?© adelphi global, all rights reservedadelphi global (https://adelphi-global.de/en) is an economically and politically independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainability, enhancing environmental protection, improving education, expanding development cooperation, and strengthening international collaborations. Our commitment is reflected in targeted projects, in-depth analyses, and informative educational events, through which we strive for a just and sustainable world.Editing by Paulus Müller-Hahl (Lichtbilder)

This month, hosts Alexandra and Raquel celebrate the 50th episode by looking back continent by continent at the countries and regions that have been covered since 2019 on the podcast. From Kazakhstan to Mali to the Caribbean, guests have echoed the need for intersectional and inclusive research and programming, more and better climate finance in fragile and conflict-affected areas and the importance of local expertise and initiatives. Thank you for tuning in month after month over the last 50 episodes!  Recommended resources:Climate Security Expert Network © adelphi global, all rights reserved  adelphi global (https://adelphi-global.de/en) is an economically and politically independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability, enhancing environmental protection, improving education, expanding development cooperation, and strengthening international collaborations. Our commitment is reflected in targeted projects, in-depth analyses, and informative educational events, through which we strive for a just and sustainable world.  Editing by Paulus Müller-Hahl (Lichtbilder).

Crimes against the environment, from illegal deforestation to hazardous waste trafficking, are not just ecological issues—they’re deeply intertwined with climate and security. In this episode, we explore how thesecrimes fuel conflicts, undermine stability, and impact vulnerable communities. Join us and Fabian Keske from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as we uncover the drivers, trends, and entry-points to combat these crimes from the perspective of the climate and security nexus.Related resources:WWF-adelphi joint report "The nature of conflict and peace"