Climate-related emergencies, especially if they happen in fragile and vulnerable countries, can increase the risk of conflict. Joint readiness and response to such emergencies can enhance cooperation and promote peace, but whether or not the military should be involved in preparing for and responding to such emergencies is a matter of debate, and views vary depending on the country, the political culture, and whether or not the involvement is within national boundaries.
This volume presents papers delivered at the NATO SPS Advanced Research Workshop, Climate and Security Action: The Role of Civil-Military Cooperation, held from 16 to 18 July 2024 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The workshop addressed the need for and effectiveness of civil-military cooperation in climate-related emergencies. It focused on examining potential security issues arising from climate change-induced natural disasters, including health risks, resource constraints, water scarcity and increasing energy needs; identifying policy and technical approaches to building resilience, disaster forecasting, and the prevention of natural catastrophes; and discussing defense-related issues with the aim of mitigating the vulnerability of the military to potential catastrophic disasters. Participants also evaluated the utility of current and future tools for preventing potential conflicts resulting from poor environmental security due to the climate-induced degradation of both natural resources and human conditions.
This publication offers an overview of the implications of climate-related emergencies and the measures which might potentially mitigate them, and will be of interest to decision- and policy-makers, providing clarity about the importance of taking concrete actions to overcome the international challenges presented by climate change.
