World Bank head says climate change could lead to conflict

Jim Yong Kim, the president of the World Bank, has warned that the impacts of climate change could lead to an escalation in conflict and social unrest.

His comments come in the wake of the recently published report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which warned that no nation would be unaffected by climate change.

The report cautioned that the effects of global warming would impact on many areas including food prices and availability with production of vital crops predicted to drop by 2050, leading to a rise in poverty and conflict.

Mr Kim, speaking in a recent interview, said he believes disputes over food and water will begin within the next decade as climate change begins to affect production. He urged campaigners and scientists to collaborate to create solutions.

In order to keep global warming below the internationally agreed limit of 2°C, Kim called for governments and the UN to finalise a plan of action.

The four areas Kim outlined in which the World Bank could help fight climate change are investing in cleaner cities, finding a stable price for carbon, removing fuel subsidises and developing climate smart agriculture.