Commentary by the Planetary Security Initiative, 2 November 2026
Climate resilience is increasingly being recognised not as a competing priority, but as a prerequisite for long-term defence readiness. This was one of the key messages emerging from the Montréal Climate Security Summit 2026. From 15-16 October, policymakers, military leaders, researchers, and industry representatives gathered in Montréal to discuss how adapting armed forces to operate under changing climate conditions can strengthen military effectiveness, enhance energy security, reduce emissions, and build a more resilient defence industrial base.
Among the contributors was Dr Louise van Schaik, Senior Research Fellow and Coordinator of the Planetary Security Initiative, who moderated a plenary panel on Climate-Smart Defence Industry: Scaling Capacity and Innovation Across the Alliance and participated in an E3G roundtable on Critical Minerals, Critical Partnerships: Aligning Security, Industrial Development and the Energy Transition. We highlight four key take-aways:
1. Climate impacts are increasingly affecting military operations at home
A first takeaway was that climate impacts are increasingly affecting military operations at home. As highlighted in a previous article, armed forces across Europe are being called upon more frequently to support responses to floods, wildfires, and other climate-related disasters, placing growing demands on military resources and readiness.
Similar concerns were raised throughout the Montréal Climate Security Summit. In his keynote address, Major-General J.J.L.N. Pilon noted that climate change is already reshaping Canada's security environment and placing growing demands on defence readiness. For Canada, these challenges are particularly visible in the Arctic. As the Major-General highlighted:
"[Climate change] is the ultimate threat multiplier, contributing to instability through migration pressures, competition over resources, extreme weather events, and growing strategic interest in an increasingly accessible Arctic."
While reduced ice coverage is increasing maritime access, it is also creating new operational challenges and driving greater demand for domain awareness, infrastructure resilience, and incident response capabilities. At the same time, growing activity by foreign vessels and increasing geopolitical interest in the Arctic are adding further complexity to an already challenging security environment.
2. Climate and security risks are becoming increasingly interconnected.
Vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, energy systems, and supply chains rarely stem from a single source. Extreme weather events can expose weaknesses in these systems, while cyberattacks and other hybrid threats can further amplify their impacts. Building resilience therefore requires preparing for overlapping and cascading risks rather than treating climate and security challenges as separate policy domains.
3. Energy security is becoming a core defence concern
Against a backdrop of growing concern over the vulnerabilities associated with fossil-fuel supply chains, the discussion pointed to a growing recognition that future military effectiveness may also depend on the ability strengthen energy security by diversify energy sources. As Major-General J.J.L.N. Pilon highlighted in his keynote:
"Climate action and defence is not simply about reducing emissions. It's also about enhancing resilience through energy security. In other words, operational readiness, sound financial management, and pollution reduction depends on energy efficiency and adoption of low carbon to zero carbon alternatives."
During the discussion, Dr Louise van Schaik drew a historical parallel to Winston Churchill's decision to shift military energy sourcing from coal to oil during World War II, a transition that significantly improved military efficiency. The comparison prompted reflection on how today's energy choices may shape future defence capabilities, particularly as concerns grow over the strategic vulnerabilities associated with fossil-fuel supply chains and the need for more resilient alternatives.
4. Diversifying critical mineral supply chains as a strategic priority
Discussions in the E3G roundtable Critical Minerals, Critical Partnerships highlighted the growing strategic importance of critical minerals for both defence capabilities and the energy transition. As defence organisations increasingly rely on advanced technologies, batteries, and low-carbon energy systems, participants noted that access to critical raw materials is becoming an increasingly important aspect of resilience and security. The discussion explored how governments and industry can reduce strategic dependencies by diversifying supply chains, and strengthening partnerships. Participants also emphasised the need to move beyond highly concentrated and just-in-time supply chains.
Looking ahead
Concluding his remarks, Pilon argued that the key question is no longer whether climate change will affect defence organisations, but how effectively they are preparing for its consequences. Canada has already taken important steps, which Pilon illustrated through a three-pillar approach:
- Enhancing climate adaptation and resilience: As climate impacts are already unavoidable, climate risks are increasingly being integrated into defence infrastructure planning, investment decisions, and project approvals, supported by climate vulnerability assessments. Pilon pointed to Canada's 2025 National Model Building Code, which incorporates future climate design values, as an important step towards building infrastructure.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: As Canada's largest federal greenhouse gas emitter, National Defence has both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead on emissions reductions. Pilon highlighted significant progress, including a 39.1% reduction in emissions since 2005 and the sourcing of 81% clean electricity across operations, while underscoring the importance of continued investments in energy efficiency, low-carbon technologies.
- Partnerships: To better understand climate impacts and build effective solutions together, Pilon stressed the importance of working closely with academia, industry, provinces, territories, municipalities, and particularly northern and Indigenous communities. The benefits of such cooperation can be felt at multiple levels: internationally, through cooperation with allies in NATO and other forums to strengthen understanding of climate-security risks; and beyond defence objectives, at the local level, where investments in resilient energy systems can help provide reliable and sustainable power to remote communities.
Nevertheless, significant work remains, as the Major-General underscored:
"We are already taking meaningful action but there's still a lot of work to be done."
From the Arctic to critical mineral supply chains: the discussions in Montréal made clear that climate considerations are increasingly becoming questions of defence and security. The conference provided a platform to exchange lessons learned, identify common challenges, and build partnerships across sectors and countries. Looking ahead, maintaining this momentum and fostering continued cooperation will be important to strengthening resilience across the Alliance
This summary is based on the keynote address delivered by Major-General J.J.L.N. Pilon, Chief of Staff - Infrastructure and Environment, Canadian Armed Forces, at the Montréal Climate Security Summit 2026, and plenary panel on Climate-Smart Defence Industry, moderated by PSI coordinator Dr Louise van Schaik.
Photo credit: CCASCOE, Summit-Day01-October15-Full-166, Montréal Climate Security Summit 2026, Flickr.