Climate and security on the agenda at UNGA 81
HR/VP Kaja Kallas co-hosted a ministerial dialogue on Climate and Security at the UN General Assembly in New York. Her message was clear: "It is important we all understand this connection between climate and security."
Co-hosted by the HR/VP, the British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, and the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, the meeting took place at the sidelines of UNGA 81 and Climate Week.
It is important we all understand this connection between climate and security
Ministers reflected on climate impacts on security they are observing in their own regions. Europe, as the fastest warming continent, saw dramatic climate impacts this summer which led to 35 000 excess heat deaths, widespread wildfires, and enormous economic costs.
Globally, we need to look at the regions where climate change acts as a risk multiplier. Many of the most fragile states are also the most climate vulnerable. Climate impacts can lead to humanitarian disasters, exacerbate fragility and conflicts over land and water, and drive involuntary displacement or migration.
The task of foreign ministers is to bring the security and geopolitical lens to climate and environmental debates and
- prevent climate conflicts where they are brewing
- ensuring climate resilience for everyone
- not allowing rogue powers to exploit vulnerabilities
The EU is leading on these efforts to tackle climate risks and staying the course on its ambitious climate action. As the world’s biggest global donor for climate finance, we are also supporting both mitigation and climate change adaptation and resilience globally.
The EU has developed a comprehensive strategy on climate and security and is integrating climate security into its foreign and security policy, for example in its Security and Defence Partnerships, the EU-UNEP partnership on climate security and its civilian missions.
If our partners thrive, so do we. If they don’t, we too will suffer
Preparing for the links between climate and security also offers clear opportunities.
For example, lessons from Ukraine show that a decentralised, renewable-based energy system is less vulnerable to attack. Meanwhile rapid innovation in new electrified technologies like drones together with micro grids, clean tech and ‘energy on spot’ can enhance military capabilities in a fast changing military theatre.
Climate action is no longer just about saving the planet. Industrial policy is no longer just to save the economy. And defence is no longer only about defending our borders. They are all linked.
HR/VP Kallas concluded with an appeal for integrated action together: "If our partners thrive, so do we. If they don’t, we too will suffer," she said. We cannot leave the climate crisis just to the experts.
In response to this, the hosts reaffirmed their commitment to action tackling climate security in a joint press statement.
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