IFES LAUNCHES THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE IMPACT ON ELECTIONS TOOLKIT

"The Climate Crisis is the existential crisis of our time." 

- United States National Security Strategy

Climate change poses a significant threat globally, impacting livelihoods and human security. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, this threat multiplier increases the challenges faced by people in their search for electoral inclusion. It is estimated that as many as 200 million individuals could be environmentally displaced by 2050, and those who are forced to leave their homes often also lose their ability to exercise basic political rights. Women, indigenous communities, and minorities bear the brunt of these disasters and their subsequent displacement but also provide the transformational leadership necessary to address this point.

Climate workshop in Papua New Guinea

In November, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) launched the new Environmental & Climate Impact on Elections Toolkit, implemented in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission (PNGEC). In line with PNGEC’s Corporate Planning Cycle, IFES and PNGEC worked together on an introductory presentation on “Electoral Preparedness for Environmental and Climate Disasters,” which was then delivered to over 60 PNGEC staff members. The relationship between the effects of natural disasters on electoral processes resonated with participants who believed that environmental contingency planning would be sound practice in Papua New Guinea. Technical assistance provided by IFES focused on integrating the environmental and climate impacts on elections into PNGEC's corporate plan. 

IFES CLIMATE RESOURCES

- Read: IFES' paper on the Electoral Rights of Environmentally Displaced Persons

-Watch: An Expert Discussion on Safeguarding the Democratic Rights of the Environmentally Displaced People, hosted by IFES and the Embassy of Sweden

IFES has also developed a first-of-its-kind Reducing Environmental Footprint of Elections (REFE) Scorecard as a part of the toolkit, to evaluate the environmental footprint of electoral processes. The REFE Scorecard is being piloted by a growing number of electoral management body (EMB) partners across the globe to gather existing environmentally conscious policies, plans, or practices in use by their offices. Final scores will provide recommendations to mainstream environmental consciousness in EMB operations and policies. 

In addition to REFE, IFES’ Environmental & Climate Impact on Elections Toolkit currently includes three other tools, and more are being developed in partnership with EMBs. 

  • The Impact of Climate and Environment on Elections Self-Diagnostic Tool (ICEE) allows EMBs to assess preparedness and risk mitigation techniques for climate disasters and environmental displacement, identify challenges, and be better prepared to deal with the impact of climate disasters on elections. 

  • IFES’ Climate Leadership Training Module is aimed at building the capacity of elections officials and civil society organizations working with marginalized groups to understand the intersection of climate and elections. 

  • IFES is also developing an Executive Curriculum in Electoral Leadership (iEXCEL) Climate-Crisis Simulation that will provide participants with experience identifying and exhibiting the main skills and behaviors needed to exercise effective electoral leadership in the face of a climate crisis. 

Development of the Climate and Elections Toolkit was made possible with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Sida have supported implementations in Papua New Guinea.  

 

Learn more about IFES' work on climate change, rights and governance.
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