Renewable Resource Scarcity, Conflicts and Migration

Abstract

Based on an extensive overview of academic debates on renewable resource scarcity, conflict and migration, this chapter examines whether and how scarcity of renewable resources increases the risk of violent conflicts and how this can affect migration flows. The chapter introduces the most important theoretical frameworks that link renewable resource scarcity to conflict and then considers the existing empirical evidence on such linkages. While pathways leading to conflicts are still not well understood and empirical evidence is mixed, the chapter highlights that increased renewable resource scarcity is more likely to lead to low intensity conflicts, which in turn tend to trigger short distance migration. Thus, the role of governance is more effective if it takes place in a variety of institutions and on local and sub-national levels instead of centralized or international governance arrangements. However, the chapter concludes, relationships are complex and context-dependent.