Addressing the nexus between climate change and security is a fundamental policy priority for the future of the EU’s external action. Climate change and environmental degradation, including extreme weather, rising temperatures, pollution, loss of livelihoods, and food production insecurity have complex reinforcing effects on the causes of instability and conflict. The nexus between these factors is also changing the way Europe’s security and defence forces operate, prompting them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on fossils fuels while also maintaining their operational effectiveness.

To better respond to the interconnected effects of climate change and environmental degradation on peace, security, and defence, in June 2023, the High Representative and the European Commission adopted a Joint Communication on “A new outlook on the climate and security nexus – Addressing the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on peace, security and defence”. The March 2024 Council Conclusions on Green Diplomacy called for the swift implementation of the Joint Communication and underlined the importance of mainstreaming the climate, peace and security nexus in the EU and EU Member States’ external action.

The Joint Communication focuses on four pillars: 1) evidence-based analysis and foresight to support planning, decision-making, and implementation; 2) operationalisation of the climate-security nexus in all aspects of EU external action; 3) ensuring a sustainable and climate-resilient European security and defence; 4) and building strong partnerships. Operational impact is ensured through 30 concrete actions, including the establishment of a Climate and Environment Security Data and Analysis Hub at the EU Satellite Centre to a comprehensive Climate Package for CSDP Mission and Operations.

With the beginning of a new institutional cycle around the corner, it is fundamental that the EU continues to harness the potential of the Joint Communication to improve knowledge, capacity, and information exchange to address the challenges to peace and security posed by climate change and environmental degradation.

In line with the objective of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to facilitate a deeper discussion on the future of the EU foreign, development, trade, security and defence policies, the Egmont Institute, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU will take stock and discuss the further implementation of the Joint Communication on “A new outlook on the climate and security nexus”.

This half-day workshop will focus on 1) climate security and geopolitics; 2) evidence-based policy making and communication; and 3) climate security and the EU integrated approach (whole-of-society-approach)

08:30-09:00 Registration

09:00-09:30 Welcome and opening remarks – The Joint Communication One Year On

09:30-10:15 Panel discussion – The Climate-Security Nexus, Partnerships and Geopolitics

10:15-10:45 Coffee Break

10:45-12:00 Policy Labs

Policy Lab 1 – Climate-security nexus: using and communicating evidence

Policy Lab 2 – Operationalising the Climate-Security Nexus

12:00-12:30 Plenary discussion: feedback from Policy Labs

12:30-12:45 Concluding Remarks

More info and registration here.

(Photo credit:  Canva)