Climate change and risk

The predicted impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly visible. Environment and climate-related risks—including extreme weather events, water scarcity and the failure to adapt and mitigate climate change—are among the top risks the world faces. Policymakers, researchers and the public increasingly recognize the need to address climate-related security risks through cooperation and dialogue.

SIPRI’s work on climate change and risk provides reliable insights on how climate-related security risks evolve and how they are interlinked and interact with different social, political and economic processes. SIPRI researchers also analyse how different policy organizations are responding to these risks and provide advice on conflict-sensitive adaptation, mitigation strategies and how international efforts for sustaining peace can be achieved.

SIPRI’s Climate Change and Risk Programme is involved in a number of cross-cutting research themes, exploring topics such as gender, and issues such as food security, energy security and the Anthropocene. The Programme also looks closely at institutional responses in organizations such as the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations.

RESEARCH INITIATIVES

Climate change and security

This project aims to deepen knowledge on how, when and why climate-related security risks arise, and how these risks can be mitigated, strengthening human security and long-term sustainable peace (Sustainable Develop Goals 13 and 16).

Mistra Geopolitics

This project aims to critically examine how the dynamics of geopolitics, human security and global environmental change interrelate in an epoch referred to as ‘the Anthropocene’.

Climate change and food security

This project focuses on the linkages between food, security and climate change. It is part of a larger effort by SIPRI and WFP to better understand the role of food security in peacebuilding.

Climate-related peace and security risks

This project aims to generate reliable, relevant, timely and actionable information and analysis on climate-related peace, security and development risks. The work will relate to specific countries and regions on the United Nations Security Council agenda.