Last month, Europe was both under water and on fire. Excessive rainfall brought on by storm Boris resulted in destructive floods in central Europe, whereas long-lasting droughts caused enormous wildfires in Portugal. With the death toll surpassing twenty and an estimated hundreds of billions in damages, the criticality of European climate security is apparent once again.
Extreme weather events like this are likely to increase in frequency and severity in the coming decade. Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world, with its temperatures rising at almost twice the global average. The new “norm for our shared future”, as described by EU Crisis Commissioner Lenarčič, carries significant human and economic costs but also puts additional pressure on military resources for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
Measure of last resort?
In response to the floods, Poland deployed thousands of troops to fortify river embankments and perform search and rescue operations. German soldiers also assisted in the efforts to rebuild flood affected areas. In aid of its neighbour, Spain’s military sent specialised emergency response battalions and vehicles to Portugal.
These developments are not isolated. In many European countries, including the Netherlands, humanitarian assistance during emergencies has always been a core (secondary) task for the military. As climate change exacerbates the risk to loss of life, property, critical infrastructure and livelihoods, it is also a growing security concern. Data from the Centre for Climate and Security, which tracks global military responses, indeed reveals a trend of increasing military involvement in climate-related disasters.
However, domestic deployment has traditionally been a measure of ‘last resort’. This aligns with the Oslo Guidelines as well as other national restrictions on domestic military deployment. This begs the question why the military is becoming a first responder on the climate front, and whether this trend is desirable.
Lack of Civilian Capacity
The Oslo guidelines admit that, despite primary responsibility for the affected state, reliance on the domestic military is often part of first line response due to ‘lack of capacity elsewhere’. ‘Elsewhere’ then refers to the state’s civilian protection and humanitarian services – traditionally the lead in civil-military disaster cooperation.
The rising intensity of natural disasters could be overwhelming national civil protection services, reflecting Europe’s unpreparedness for urgent action, as indicated in the EEA report on climate risk. Despite progress in understanding climate risks and developing adaptation policies, societal preparedness remains low, with policy implementation lagging. This often leaves European states caught off guard, making it difficult for civil responders to react effectively to climate disasters.
The military, on the other hand, is relatively well suited to performing under high stress conditions. In the case of extreme weather events, military forces can provide emergency air and boat access, deliver food and water, conduct search and rescue operations, and evacuate civilians. Their engineering and equipment—such as helicopters and water pumps—can also help mitigate damage and restore vital infrastructure, energy supplies, and communications.
At the same time, troops do not always receive specialised training for disaster response. More importantly, large scale domestic operations put a strain on military capabilities and resources, which in time may affect overall readiness. Some militaries are already warning that the shifting balance between civil and military roles is negatively impacting their performance in national security and international exercises.
Necessary Civil-Military Balance
As both geopolitical tensions and global temperatures continue to rise, now may be a good time to consider a rebalance of civil-military cooperation in HADR missions.
To reapproach the Oslo guidelines, a necessary step would be immediate investment in civilian protection capacity. This may include securing sustainable funding, better monitoring technology, improving local response systems, the procurement of equipment and provision of training to build societal preparedness. Specialised (military-led) training could also help improve the crisis management skills of local administrations and municipal authorities, as is a long-term objective of Poland's rebuilding mission.
At the same time, some degree of military involvement in disaster response may remain necessary, considering the escalating severity of extreme weather events. The primary policy objective here is more effective civil-military engagement. Joint civil emergency exercises, for example those organised by NATO’s Disaster Response Centre, could facilitate better coordination among partners and layers of government, while also bolstering emergency resilience in general. Additionally, establishing specialised units on a domestic level - such as Spain’s fire battalions - tailored for specific disaster scenarios could improve operational efficiency in HADR without compromising general military readiness.
The Future of the Military in addressing Climate Security
An increase in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions is just one way climate change is straining military resources. Rebuilding civilian capacity for disaster relief thus does not mean that climate security is no longer a concern for the forces. In fact, climate change is a major international security threat, as Sherri Goodman (Senior fellow at the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program) emphasises in her new book. Acting as a threat multiplier, it amplifies existing tensions, destabilising societies and conflict zones through rising temperatures, extreme weather, and natural disasters.
The military’s own resources are also directly at risk—flooded bases, disrupted energy supplies, and damaged infrastructure all undermine operational readiness. The extent of these impacts may depend on how effectively countries integrate climate risks into their defence strategies, from risk assessments to early warning systems, as well as disaster preparedness. Ultimately, a coordinated approach to climate adaptation—including both civilian and military efforts—will be essential for European climate resilience.
Article written by Floor Stoelinga. Researcher for the Planetary Security Initiative.
Photo credit: The National Guard/Flickr