The Climate Change – Security Interface
Climate change is increasing the frequency and scope of security challenges. This calls for greater collaboration across formerly often siloed policy fields, as illustrated in the context of climate change adaptation by Swiss Civil Protection and Switzerland’s priorities on the UN Security Council, argue Christine Eriksen, Andrin Hauri, Joane Holliger, Simon J. A. Mason, Fabien Merz and Benno Zogg in this CSS Analysis.
Climate change and security have become an “interface topic” due to a twofold problem. On the one hand, environmental policies have failed to curb the escalating impacts of climate change with adequate adaptation and mitigation measures. On the other hand, climate change is increasingly proving to be a multiplier of societal risks and conflict, with an overwhelming effect in already fragile contexts. Yet, peace and security policies are lagging behind in incorporating a climate sensitive lens to their interventions and support. The environmental and security policy fields therefore now increasingly bleed into one another.