Integrated assessment of climate-related security risks for peace and security in Blue Nile, Sudan, and their gender dimensions

United Nations 3 months ago

The Blue Nile State in Sudan is grappling with a severe and escalating crisis, marked by an intensifying conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. This conflict has displaced 8.7 million people, including 4.6 million children by December 2024, with 336,710 seeking refuge in Blue Nile State. This situation has exacerbated existing intercommunal tensions and complicated the management of natural resources, which are already under strain from climate change impacts. The report recommends six strategic actions to tackle the immediate and long-term challenges in Blue Nile State: Contribute to stabilization and build foundations for longer-term peacebuilding: This involves facilitating community-based peace dialogues, supporting local peace committees, and ensuring climate-sensitive humanitarian efforts to address the dynamic conflict. Promote Climate-Smart Livelihoods: Focus on sustainable, community-driven, and scientifically informed livelihood initiatives, specifically targeting women, IDPs, and other marginalized groups. Strengthen Community-Based Conservation: Support the protection, conservation, and restoration of natural ecosystems through inclusive, community-led efforts that respect local and indigenous knowledge. Establish Inclusive Governance for Natural Resources: Create governance structures that integrate the voices and leadership of all community members, especially those typically excluded, to ensure equitable resource management and conflict prevention. Enhance Protections Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV): Implement comprehensive measures to address SGBV within resource-dependent roles, improving legal awareness, safety infrastructure, and effective response systems. Foster Transboundary Environmental Cooperation: Promote collaboration with neighboring countries on the sustainable management of shared ecosystems, which is crucial for regional peace and environmental stability. These recommendations aim to establish a robust framework that not only navigates the current crisis but also paves the way for sustainable peace and development, aligning local efforts with broader regional and international goals for resilience and conflict resolution.
→ View Full Article

layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 14 hours ago



The Planning and Infrastructure Act with Royal Assent marks a structural shift in UK sustainable construction. The confirmation of the Nature Restoration Fund embeds environmental sustainability in construction as a financial and design parameter. Developers are being pressed to integrate eco-design for buildings that secure measurable biodiversity gains through sustainable building design and avoid reliance on late-stage offsets. The new framework compels teams to embed life cycle thinking in construction and net zero Whole Life Carbon goals at concept stage, linking green infrastructure and green building materials with demonstrable life cycle cost benefits.

The National Wealth Fund’s £800m guarantee for SSEN Transmission’s northern Scotland upgrade is significant for decarbonising the built environment. Enhanced transmission capacity strengthens the credibility of net zero carbon buildings and all-electric, low carbon design strategies. It enables contractors to adopt resource efficiency in construction through on-site flexibility solutions such as storage and hybrid power. Grid readiness becomes a core marker of low carbon building performance, reinforcing the importance of lifecycle assessment and embodied carbon data in project delivery.

Thames Water’s long-term onshore wind agreement exemplifies carbon footprint reduction at infrastructure scale. This move accelerates a shift towards circular economy in construction, low embodied carbon materials, and the broader application of carbon neutral construction practices across supply chains. Clients expect partners to deliver sustainable building practices that quantify embodied carbon in materials and achieve verifiable net zero carbon outcomes, supported by Whole Life Carbon Assessment and BREEAM or BREEAM v7 certification.

Government rhetoric defining nature as critical national infrastructure is reshaping procurement. Tenders increasingly demand whole life carbon analysis, carbon footprint of construction metrics, and renewable building materials that support end-of-life reuse in construction. The emphasis is on circular construction strategies, sustainable material specification, and building lifecycle performance aligned with whole life carbon baselines. Industry leaders are adjusting to a future where sustainable construction is no longer aspirational but a regulated expectation, reinforcing the commercial case for sustainable design and the Circular Economy.

Show More

camera_altFeatured Instagram Posts:

Get your opinion heard:

Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do get in touch.

eco

WLC Assistant

Ask me about sustainability

Hi! I'm your Whole Life Carbon assistant. I can help you learn about sustainability, carbon assessment, and navigate our resources. How can I help you today?