Environmental Peacebuilding Association Launches "Essential Concepts of Environmental Peacebuilding: An A-Z Guide"

Jun 23, 2026 | Environmental Peacebuilding Association
Routledge
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The Environmental Peacebuilding Association (EnPAx) is excited to announce the publication of Essential Concepts of Environmental Peacebuilding Terms: An A-Z Guide, a resource developed to foster understanding and dialogue across the growing field of environmental peacebuilding. Published by Routledge, this book serves as a glossary of key terms and represents one of the most comprehensive efforts to date to define the concepts, institutions, and approaches that shape the field of environmental peacebuilding.

The glossary provides definitions and contextual explorations for 152 foundational and emerging terms used by those working at the intersection of environment, conflict, and peace. In addition, it includes 35 entries on key institutions that have helped shape the field. By fostering the ongoing development of a common vocabulary, the glossary aims to support interdisciplinary collaboration and communication, and advance both scholarship, practice, and capacity building. The glossary also translated the terms into ten languages, helping make concepts more accessible to a global audience and highlighting ways in which terminology can vary across languages.

The glossary is the product of a highly collaborative effort. Over 220 academics, practitioners, policymakers, and students from 57 countries around the world contributed. The breadth of participation underscores both the diversity of the environmental peacebuilding community and the value of fostering shared understanding across disciplines and regions.

The glossary initiative was started at the 3rd International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding in The Hague, Netherlands (June 2024) and subsequently developed through an extensive consultation process that included collaborative drafting and multi-stage reviews.  The publication was celebrated at the 4th International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding in Ottawa, Canada (June 2026).

"Policymakers, practitioners, and researchers must address the challenging intersection of environment, conflict and peacebuilding dynamics worldwide. Designing innovative responses requires all actors to transcend traditional disciplinary and sectoral boundaries. At a time when the environmental peacebuilding community is navigating shifting global priorities and resource constraints, Essential Concepts of Environmental Peacebuilding: An A-Z Guide provides a shared foundation for dialogue, collaboration, teaching, research, and practice across the rapidly evolving field.” – Geoffrey D. Dabelko, Professor, Voinovich School of Public Service, Athens, Ohio

In addition to being available for purchase from Routledge, the glossary is open access and available free to all on the Routledge website.  The Environmental Peacebuilding Association invites researchers, practitioners, students, and policymakers to explore the glossary starting on June 26th: https://www.routledge.com/Essential-Concepts-of-Environmental-Peacebuilding-An-A-Z-Guide/Bruch-Weaver-Matthew-Weinthal-Swatuk/p/book/9781032994314

About the Environmental Peacebuilding Association

The Environmental Peacebuilding Association is a global professional association that supports the development of environmental peacebuilding through research, practice, education, and policy engagement. The Association works to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among individuals and organizations addressing the relationships among environment, conflict, and peace.For more information, please visit https://www.environmentalpeacebuilding.org/.