ABSTRACT
Many of the most fragile states in the world are also among those most susceptible to climate impacts. While conflict is not inevitable, the impacts of climate change have the potential to exacerbate existing challenges and sources of tension in fragile states by overwhelming state institutions by placing addition stress on social, economic, and natural systems; undermining livelihoods and increasing competition for scarce natural resources; and displacing large numbers of people. While many communities will continue to cope under these increasingly difficult conditions, governments and the international community should support meaningful progress on climate change mitigation and adaptation and ensure that the impacts of climate change are addressed in a way that strengthens fragile states and deters conflict.
