A report published by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, February 2025.
The concept of climate security is increasingly relevant within global security paradigms, shifting focus from state-centric security to human security, which prioritizes "freedom from want" and "freedom from fear." The report examines how climate change exacerbates human vulnerability, resource conflicts, and geopolitical instability, underscoring the urgency of proactive policies.
Defining climate security challenges:
Climate change amplifies existing vulnerabilities by intensifying resource competition, social tensions, and political instability. In regions like Nigeria, environmental stressors such as droughts and desertification deepen conflicts between herders and farmers. Simultaneously, violent conflicts contribute to environmental destruction through deforestation, pollution, and damaged infrastructure, as seen in Ukraine and Gaza. Armed groups exploit these vulnerabilities, further destabilizing fragile regions. The burden of climate insecurity falls disproportionately on the Global South, where marginalized communities, particularly women, face heightened risks. Addressing these challenges requires inclusive governance and greater responsibility from high-emission nations under the "polluter pays" principle.
Existing initiatives and solutions:
Environmental peacebuilding leverages sustainable resource management to foster conflict resolution, as seen in the Good Water Neighbours project in the Middle East. While promising, this approach requires greater inclusivity and empirical research to maximize its impact. Complementing these efforts, digital tools such as AI, GIS, and blockchain enhance climate security by tracking environmental risks and providing early warnings. Platforms like Strata and WPS aid in conflict prevention, though challenges such as digital divides and cybersecurity risks persist. Meanwhile, global and military institutions, including the UN, EU, and NATO, are also integrating climate security into their frameworks, though implementation gaps remain.
The role of global, regional, and local actors:
In the report experts from Africa, Europe, and Asia emphasize the urgent need for international cooperation, local empowerment, and sustained funding for climate security initiatives.
- Nasreen Al Amin (Surge Africa, Nigeria): Highlights climate-induced migration and conflict risks in the Sahel, advocating for a "Climate Security Tracker" to predict tensions and support early intervention.
- Oli Brown (Chatham House, UK): Stresses the importance of environmental peacebuilding but warns against overestimating its impact, advocating for localized conflict-sensitive natural resource management.
- Hassan Mowlid Yasin (Somali Greenpeace Association): Discusses Somalia’s vulnerability to climate insecurity, calling for greater investment in resilience-building.
- Gerty Pierre (Haitian Ministry of Environment): Focuses on integrating climate security within disaster response frameworks in the Caribbean.
- Regine Schoenenberg (Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Brazil): Emphasizes the need for climate justice and support for Global South-led initiatives.
- Siddharth Nair & Prerana Priyadarshi (IPCS, India): Highlight India's dual role as a climate-vulnerable nation and an emerging leader in climate security policy.
Key recommendations and risks include:
The report proposes concrete actions:
- Strengthen research and policy advocacy to address knowledge gaps.
- Develop long-term funding mechanisms for local and regional climate security projects.
- Foster global networks to improve collaboration and share best practices.
- Encourage military engagement in climate resilience while avoiding securitization.
- Address structural inequalities that exacerbate climate security risks, especially for marginalized communities.
Potential risks include the politicization of climate security, the exclusion of grassroots actors, and unintended negative consequences of well-intended interventions. Avoiding these pitfalls requires inclusive, evidence-based policymaking and cross-sectoral cooperation.
Climate security is an urgent global challenge requiring integrated approaches that bridge environmental sustainability, conflict resolution, and human security. Effective responses necessitate collaboration between governments, civil society, research institutions, and local communities to develop resilient, just, and sustainable solutions. The report underscores the importance of acknowledging the intersectionality of climate security issues and the necessity of proactive, informed, and inclusive strategies for addressing them.
This is based on the extracts from the report written by Alice Bergoend, February 2025. To read the full report follow the link here.