Tracing The Evolution Of Terms And Concepts In Environmental Peacebuilding: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Environmental peacebuilding is an evolving interdisciplinary field, intersecting environmental sustainability, conflict resolution, peace, and security. As environmental challenges, such as climate change and resource scarcity, increasingly contribute to conflict, the need for innovative approaches to peace and security has become more urgent. Within this context, environmental peacebuilding provides a unique framework for resolving conflicts by addressing the environmental issues that can fuel and sustain violent conflict. However, as the field continues to develop and expand, definitions and interpretations of key terms within environmental peacebuilding have evolved across disciplines, regions, and languages. The absence of consistent and universally understood terminology has resulted in some confusion and fragmentation in academic, policy, and practical applications. Therefore, the importance of clear and shared terminology is crucial for advancing collaboration and understanding within research, policy, and practice. This Master’s Project addresses this gap through two primary objectives: 1) analyze the evolution and conceptualization of key and emerging terms in the field of environmental peacebuilding, examining how different fields and concepts influence environmental peacebuilding and contributed to its conceptual evolution, and exploring their implications for research, policy, and practice, and 2) contribute to the development of the Glossary of Environmental Peacebuilding Terms, which is a resource designed to enhance clarity, discourse, and shared understanding of terms used in the environmental peacebuilding field. Through a workshop, questionnaire, and 15 interviews, the findings suggest that environmental peacebuilding professionals prefer widely accepted terminology over rigid standardization, emphasizing consensus and adaptability.