Adding Fuel to the Fire: How Weather Shocks Intensify Conflict

Author/Editor:

Sidra Rehman ; Laura Jaramillo

Publication Date:

June 7, 2024

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary:

Do weather shocks worsen conflict around the world? To answer this question, this paper uses an innovative dataset created by using georeferencing to match weather and conflict data at the subregional level on a monthly frequency across 168 countries over 2013 to 2022.The empirical results show that higher temperature exacerbate conflict where it already exists. Estimations indicate that, in a high emissions scenario and all else equal, by 2060 conflict deaths as a share of the population for a median country facing conflict could increase by 12.3 percent due to rising temperatures. These findings underscore the importance of integrating climate resilience into peace and security efforts and designing climate adaptation policies that support conflict prevention and resolution.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2024/112

Subject:

Frequency:

regular

English

Publication Date:

June 7, 2024

ISBN/ISSN:

9798400277818/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2024112

Format:

Paper

Pages:

16

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