Climate security, natural resource conflict, and community resilience in the Lake Chad Basin: A review of the literature

Prof. Freedom Onuoha, Dr Andrew E. Yaw Tchie and Mariana Llorens Zabala

Summary

Climate change and environmental degradation are exacerbating the challenges faced by populations in the Lake Chad region, most of whom rely on farming, fishing and pastoralism. This report highlights the significant impact of climate change on the Lake Chad region, emphasizing its role in exacerbating existing challenges such as food scarcity, conflict, and displacement. Despite contributing minimally to greenhouse gas emissions, the region is highly vulnerable to climate change due to factors like rapid population growth and weak adaptive capacity. The relationship between climate change and conflict is explored, with attention to both resource scarcity and institutional failures. The report reviews existing literature on climate change in the Lake Chad region, focusing on effects, adaptation strategies, and security implications. It concludes by highlighting the need for resilience-building efforts, early warning systems, and regional cooperation to address climate-related challenges and promote sustainable development in the region.