A new outlook on the climate and security nexus: Addressing the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on peace, security and defence

This joint communication lays out how the European Union (EU) will address the growing impact of climate change and environmental degradation in the fields of peace, security, and defence. Recurrent climate extremes, rising temperatures and sea levels, desertification, water scarcity, threats to biodiversity, environmental pollution and contamination are threatening the health and well-being of humanity, and can create greater displacement, migratory movements, pandemics, social unrest, instability and even conflicts. Europe's armed forces are also confronted with the changing and challenging operational conditions due to climate change. These new threats have already prompted allies and partners to update their policies too.

The Joint Communication offers a new outlook and sets the EU framework for responding to these challenges as they regard our society and our security operations, as well as the intensifying geopolitical competition for the resources and technologies necessary for the green transition. The Joint Communication sets out four main priorities:

• Strengthening planning, decision-making and implementation, through reliable and accessible evidence-based analysis on the climate and security nexus;
• Operationalising the response to climate and security challenges in EU external action, inter alia through integrating the climate and security nexus in regional and national conflict analyses;
• Enhancing the climate adaptation and mitigation measures of Member States' civilian and military operations and infrastructure to lower costs, carbon footprints, while ensuring that operational effectiveness is maintained;
• Reinforcing international partnerships through multilateral fora and with partners such as NATO, in line with the EU's climate change and environment agenda.