A new study by the Conflict and Environment Observatory and Scientists for Global Responsibility illustrates that not only military spending is swallowing up resources that could and should be used to tackle climate change, invest in global justice, and to promote peaceful conflict resolution and disarmament, but that the military technology industry in itself is significantly contributing to the climate emergency. 

Young leaders have published their firmest acclamation that NATO needs to be doing more in its response to the threats posed from the climate-security nexus. Contained within a wider assessment of NATOs mission, these trail blazers urge in the strongest fashion the need to incorporate more fully climate assessment and considerations into security analysis and action.

Africa is one of the hardest-hit regions by climate change. North Africa is expected to face increasing temperatures, droughts, and decreasing and/or varying levels of rainfall and groundwater levels. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the links between climate change, development and security in North Africa, with a focus on water and energy in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

A new policy brief by the Planetary Security Initiative (PSI) analyses and compares the implications of natural gas extraction in Mozambique and Cyprus. The discovery of natural gas reserves off the coast of these two countries has sparked external investment which has security, environmental and geopolitical implications.

Armed forces across Europe are increasingly including climate matters in their agendas since their priorities based on readiness, operations, and strategy are increasingly being influenced by environmental factors. In its recent report, the European Army Interoperability Centre (FINABEL) discusses the various challenges Europe could face as a result of a changing climate and provides several policy recommendations.

The security dimension of climate change is increasingly recognized by the Defence sector, and Dutch and British voices have been leading internationally in raising awareness on this issue. In the run-up to COP26 (1-12 November, Glasgow), this webinar, that is co-organised by the British Embassy and the Clingendael Institute, will consider how the military can contribute to reducing security risks related to climate change.