Conflict-Sensitive Conservation Practitioners’ Manual

The Conflict-Sensitive Conservation Practitioners’ Manual, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in 2009, provides a framework for conservation NGOs and protected area authorities to integrate conflict sensitivity into their operations. The guide aims to help practitioners minimize the risk of inadvertently exacerbating conflicts and maximize opportunities for peacebuilding, particularly in conflict zones where natural resources can be both a source of tension and a foundation for stability.

• Conservation activities can inadvertently contribute to violent conflict in three primary ways: by restricting access to critical livelihood resources (such as through the establishment of protected areas), by introducing new economic burdens or risks (such as crop loss from wildlife), and by creating an unequal distribution of conservation-related benefits, which can reinforce power asymmetries.
• In conflict zones, conservation efforts can unintentionally support active conflicts through operational management decisions. This includes the selection of staff, the choice of beneficiaries, and the methods of resource delivery, which may be manipulated or misinterpreted to perpetuate violence.
• Conservation can serve as a mechanism for peacebuilding by addressing the root causes of conflict, such as environmental degradation and resource scarcity, and by rehabilitating ecosystems that support vulnerable livelihoods. Additionally, shared conservation interests can create non-threatening spaces for dialogue and cooperation between conflicting parties.
• The manual defines Conflict-Sensitive Conservation (CSC) as programming and implementation that accounts for the causes, actors, and impacts of conflict to minimize risks and maximize peacebuilding opportunities. The process involves three general steps: analyzing the conflict, assessing the impact of proposed work on that conflict, and redesigning programs based on those insights.
• To make an organization more conflict-sensitive, the manual recommends a three-step institutional process: first, assessing the organization's capacity and readiness (including leadership commitment and strategic partnerships); second, allocating human resources by designating a CSC Champion and a multi-disciplinary CSC Team; and third, developing guiding CSC principles such as maintaining flexibility and emphasizing transparency.

APA

Hammill, A., Crawford, A., Craig, R., Malpas, R., & Matthew, R. (2009). Conflict-Sensitive Conservation Practitioners’ Manual. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/csc_manual.pdf

Chicago

Hammill, Anne, Alec Crawford, Robert Craig, Robert Malpas, and Richard Matthew. Conflict-Sensitive Conservation Practitioners’ Manual. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2009. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/csc_manual.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Hammill |first1=Anne |last2=Crawford |first2=Alec |last3=Craig |first3=Robert |last4=Malpas |first4=Robert |last5=Matthew |first5=Richard |title=Conflict-Sensitive Conservation Practitioners’ Manual |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2009 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/csc_manual.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{hammill2009conflictsensitive, author = {Hammill, Anne and Crawford, Alec and Craig, Robert and Malpas, Robert and Matthew, Richard}, title = {{Conflict-Sensitive Conservation Practitioners’ Manual}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2009}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/csc_manual.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }