Legitimacy in Humanitarian Interventions: Exploring the Climate-Conflict Nexus and the EU’s Policies in Sudan

Examining the legitimacy of humanitarian interventions in the context of the climate-conflict nexus, focusing on the European Union’s (EU) policies in Sudan. Climate change has intensified resource competition, displacement, and social tensions, contributing to Sudan’s prolonged instability. The paper explores how the EU’s interventions address climate-induced conflicts and whether these policies are perceived as legitimate by local communities and international stakeholders. From a constructivist position, and the concept of normative legitimacy, the study evaluates the legal, ethical, and practical dimensions of intervention in climate-affected conflict zones. The research aims to assess the legitimacy framework of EU interventions by analyzing how the climate-conflict nexus is incorporated into humanitarian policies. The study adopts a qualitative methodology, utilizing policy analysis, interviews with EU officials, and fieldwork in Sudan to gather insights into local narratives. The literature review covers theclimate-security debate, theories of humanitarian intervention, andlegitimacy in international relations, highlighting gaps in understanding the role of climate change in shaping intervention legitimacy.This paper offers policy recommendations for enhancing legitimate humanitarian action in climate-affected regions.