Environment

Cord believes we are stewards of God’s creation, and therefore we need to act responsibly for the resources we have.

Increasing attention is being given to the environment, particularly the issues of climate change and natural disasters.

Cord believes that the environment matters and that we have a responsibility to look after the resources we have, so Cord strives not only to minimise negative impacts on the environment but ensure positive change. Cord also recognises that those who suffer most as a result of environmental issues are the poor.

Cord has made the environment one of its three priority issues to address in all its work, as it recognises that the link between the environment and conflict is one which cannot be overlooked. Both scarcity and abundance of environmental resources can be drivers of conflicts at international, regional, national, and local levels. Many conflicts are fought over or fuelled by income from natural resources as in Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola in relation to diamonds; in Liberia in relation to timber; and in other countries throughout Africa and the Middle East in relation to oil.

Conflicts put severe pressures on the environment, as people’s primary concern is their survival, and that of their families.As a result the land is often stripped of trees for firewood and shelter, the land is overused and not cared for, leading to soil erosion and degradation.

In Cord’s programmes, it works to reduce environmental damage by working with communities to help them understand and care for their environment . Initiatives such as providing energy saving stoves to cut down on the use of firewood; planting trees and grasses to rehabilitate the land; and advocacy to ensure that communities have a voice to be able to defend and protect their environments.

In the UK, Cord strives to conserve energy in its office and reduce its carbon emissions through its travel policy.