EU Foreign and Security Policy on Climate-related Security Risks

Policymakers and researchers have increasingly acknowledged the adverse effects of climate change on human security, and an increasing amount of international organizations are addressing climate-related security risks. The European Union (EU) is one of the most vocal proponents in this regard.

This SIPRI Policy Brief analyses EU responses within its foreign and security policy to climate-related security risks, focusing on developments since the release of the 2016 EU Global Strategy. It concludes that the EU already has several instruments at its disposal but the EU and its member states need to raise their ambitions. This SIPRI Policy Brief recommends that: (a) EU climate diplomacy should integrate climate security; (b) knowledge provision and risk assessment should be enhanced; (c) mandates for missions within the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy should be broaden; and (d) EU–United Nations cooperation should be strengthened.