This expert report by the ‘German Advisory Council on Global Change’ (WBGU) argues that the changing global climate is a security risk to society; strategies for both should thus be integrated.
Global environmental changes such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are security risks. At the same time, environmental policy – and climate policy in particular – can contribute to national security policy. These interrelationships are scientifically recognised and have already been discussed at the political level. The report argues that environmental protection is a basic public service and the foundation for the long-term preservation of prosperity and well-being, and is thus part of forward-looking, intersectoral security policy across all policy areas.
To integrate the environment more closely into the security architecture, the report suggests that research on implementing climate-mitigation and nature-conservation targets as security measures should be strengthened, and it advocates changing societies' perspective to;
- Climate as a stabilising factor. In the WBGU’s view, halting global warming and, in the long term, reducing the global average temperature by removing CO2 from the atmosphere are key components of an integrated security architecture.
- Natural infrastructure as key for civil protection. The WBGU defines natural infrastructure as ecosystems that fulfil security functions, e.g., through heat and climate protection and through water and air purification.
- Environmental projects as locally run peacebuilding projects. Ecosystem conservation and the joint management of natural resources have the potential to contribute to peacebuilding by fostering trust between societal groups and between governments.
WBGU Recommendations
- Permanently integrate environmental changes and the protection of natural life-support systems into the work of the (German) National Security Council, also by prioritising natural infrastructure for civil protection. Environmental risks would then become a key component of the Council’s work.
- Systemic risk analyses should integrate not only classic security threats but also creeping risks from climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and other environmental risks. In addition, comprehensive foresight analyses should be carried out, including detailed adaptation scenarios and implementation strategies.
- Conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding should be given equal weight in the federal budget as defence. This parity should also apply to policymaking, financing and political communication within the EU and NATO.
Photo by Vladislav Nikonov on Unsplash
This text is based on extracts from an expert report by the ‘German Advisory Council on Global Change’ (WBGU). June 26, 2026. To read the full text, follow the link.