Defence Review published by the Irish Defence Forces, January 2025
The Irish Defence Forces Review 2024 explores the profound intersection of climate change, security, and defence, positioning Ireland within the evolving global security landscape. Climate change is increasingly recognized as a threat multiplier, exacerbating instability, resource conflicts, and humanitarian crises. This year’s review brings together military experts and academics to critically examine how climate-induced challenges are reshaping security policies and military strategies, both in Ireland and internationally.
Climate Change as a Security Challenge
It would not be a stretch to say that climate change is now a direct security issue. It threatens human security through extreme weather events, food and water shortages, and mass displacement. The review highlights the growing role of militaries in responding to climate-induced crises, both domestically—through disaster relief and civilian support—and internationally—through peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
Furthermore, the destabilizing effects of climate change have national security implications. Extreme weather disrupts critical infrastructure, increases migration pressures, and fuels political extremism. The review underscores that Ireland, despite its geographic insulation, is not immune to these risks, particularly as climate refugees, energy dependencies, and geopolitical tensions grow in prominence.
The Military’s Role in Climate Adaptation and Response
Armed forces worldwide are adapting to a new operational environment shaped by climate change. The review presents a compelling analysis of how the Irish Defence Forces (IDF) can integrate climate resilience into military planning. It identifies key areas where defence policy must evolve, including:
- Disaster Response: The IDF’s role in domestic emergency relief is expected to expand as Ireland faces more frequent storms, floods, and heatwaves.
- International Peacekeeping: Climate-induced instability in fragile regions will demand greater IDF engagement in humanitarian and conflict resolution missions.
- Operational Readiness: Rising sea levels and extreme weather events necessitate adaptations in training, logistics, and equipment resilience.
Contributors highlight case studies where climate-induced disasters have already required military intervention, reinforcing the urgency of proactive planning.
Decarbonizing the Military: A Strategic Imperative
The armed forces are among the largest institutional emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs). This year’s review examines the pressing need for militaries to transition toward sustainability, balancing operational effectiveness with environmental responsibility. Key discussions include:
- Reducing the IDF’s Carbon Footprint: Strategies such as investing in energy-efficient bases, electrifying military transport, and adopting alternative fuels are explored.
- Green Innovation in Defence: Emerging technologies, including sustainable energy sources for naval operations and AI-driven resource efficiency, are highlighted as transformative solutions.
- Challenges of a Low-Carbon Military: While the push for decarbonization is critical, the review acknowledges obstacles such as cost constraints, technological limitations, and operational risks.
Climate Change, Extremism, and Disinformation
A unique aspect of the 2024 review is its focus on the ideological and political ramifications of climate change, particularly its impact on extremism and misinformation.
- Climate Change as a Driver of Far-Right Extremism: Economic anxiety, migration fears, and resistance to climate policies have fuelled far-right movements across Europe. The review examines how climate insecurity is exploited for political gain and how this phenomenon could impact Ireland.
- Climate Disinformation and Influence Operations: The spread of misinformation regarding climate policies has been identified as a national security concern, with state and non-state actors using propaganda to undermine public trust in environmental initiatives. The review provides insights into how defence and intelligence agencies can counter such narratives.
Ireland’s Maritime Security and Climate Change
Ireland, with one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) in Europe, faces growing maritime security risks due to climate change. The review highlights:
- Threats to Maritime Domain Awareness: Rising sea levels, extreme weather patterns, and resource competition make Ireland’s maritime borders more vulnerable.
- The Naval Service and Sustainability: Transitioning to alternative fuel technologies and enhancing maritime surveillance capabilities are identified as critical priorities for ensuring sustainable naval operations.
A Leadership Role for Ireland
The review concludes by emphasizing Ireland’s potential role as a leader in climate security. With a strong tradition of peacekeeping, humanitarian diplomacy, and sustainability advocacy, Ireland is uniquely positioned to champion global efforts to integrate climate resilience into security policies.
Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening civil-military cooperation in climate disaster response.
- Enhancing policy coordination between defence, environmental, and diplomatic sectors.
- Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure for military operations.
- Leading international dialogues on climate-security linkages through the EU, UN, and NATO frameworks.
The Irish Defence Forces Review 2024 serves as a critical, timely exploration of how climate change is reshaping the global security environment. By addressing the military, political, and societal dimensions of climate-induced threats, the review provides a roadmap for future-proofing Ireland’s defence strategy. As climate change accelerates, the findings of this publication are not just insightful—they are essential for shaping Ireland’s security policies in the decades to come.
This is based on the extracts from the defence brief published by the Irish Defence Forces in collaboration with the University College Cork, February 2025. To read the full review follow the link here.