Institute for Environmental Security
Advancing Global Environmental Security through
Science · Diplomacy · Law · Finance · Education
Greening Foreign and Security Policy
Recommended Reading
A Climate of Conflict (Sida version)
Dan Smith, Janani Vivekananda, February 2008
Climate change is upon us and its physical effects have started to unfold. That is the broad scientific consensus expressed in the Fourth Assessment Review of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change. This report takes this finding as its...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.envirosecurity.org )
A Climate of Conflict: The Links Between Climate Change, Peace and War
Dan Smith, Janani Vivekananda, November 2007
Climate change is upon us and its physical effects have started to unfold. That is the broad scientific consensus expressed in the Fourth Assessment Review of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change. This report takes this finding as its...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.international-alert.org )
A Secure Europe in a Better World: European Security Strategy
European Council, 12 December 2003
The European Security Strategy was approved by the European Council held in Brussels on 12 December 2003 and drafted under the responsibilities of the EU High Representative Javier...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
Acting together Rio brochure: International co-operation on biodiversity, climate change and desertification
European Commission, March 2006
International recognition of the challenges is growing, hand-in-hand with public concern. The Rio Conventions of 1992 were a major achievement for environmental protection, setting a clear framework for international action on Biodiversity, Climate...
View Publication ( PDF - ec.europa.eu )
An Uncertain Future: Law Enforcement, National Security and Climate Change
Chris Abbott, January 2008
Climate change will have serious environmental, socio-economic and security consequences for both developed and developing nations alike. This report explores these consequences and demonstrates that they will present new challenges to governments...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk )
Clean Power from Deserts - The DESERTEC Concept for Energy, Water and Climate Security - Summary
Dr. Gerhard Knies, 26 November 2007
The DESERTEC Concept - Satellite-based studies by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have shown that, using less than 0.3% of the entire desert areas of the MENA region, solar thermal power plants can generate enough electricity and desalinated...
View Publication ( PDF - www.desertec.org )
Clean Power from Deserts - The DESERTEC Concept for Energy, Water and Climate Security - White Book
Edited by Gerhard Knies, Uwe Möller and Michael Straub, November 2007
This White Book provides information on the potential of the largest but least tapped source of energy on earth, the solar radiation of deserts, and on how it could be put into service for energy, water and climate security for Europe, the Middle...
View Publication ( PDF - www.desertec.org )
Climate Change 2007: the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, November 2007
The science related to climate change is vast and complex, and the IPCC has worked with scientists around the world to collect, assess and process the body of solid and up-to-date scientific literature. All this information is contained in the first...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.ipcc.ch )
Climate Change and Conflict
Sebastian Oberthür, Dennis Tänzler, Alexander Carius, and Hans-Günther Brauch, November 2002
This study commissioned by the German Ministry for the Environment, contains on the one hand the results of a comprehensive examination of potential security-related implications of climate change for different regions, and on the other hand an...
View Publication ( PDF - www.ecc-platform.org )
Climate Change and Foreign Policy: An exploration of options for greater integration
John Drexhage, Deborah Murphy, Oli Brown, Aaron Cosbey, Peter Dickey, Jo-Ellen Parry, John Van Ham, Richard Tarasofsky, Beverley Darkin, 2007
This report reflects a change in strategic thinking. It presents a series of recommendations on how foreign policy can help to foster international cooperation on climate change action.This opens up a broad array of new opportunities, because...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.iisd.org )
Climate Change and Security: Challenges for German Development Cooperation
Alexander Carius, Dennis Tänzler, Achim Maas, April 2008
This publication provides a quick overview of the main insights on the security implications of climate change. The authors then apply the findings to selected sectors (water; food and rural development; infrastructure, energy and transport;...
View Publication ( PDF - www.gtz.de )
Climate change legislation and initiatives at EU level
Christian Jervelund, Sigurd Næss-Schmidt, Ulrik Møller, Marcin Winiarczyk and Jacob Lind Ramskov, October 2007
This study, requested by the Policy Department: Economic and Scientific Policy for the European Parliament's temporary committee on climate change, reviews the challenges for the EU in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). It does so by examining...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
Climate Change, Security and Sustainable Development
Nicolas Frankcom (Civitatis International), March 2008
This is the report of the IES conference on the impact of climate change on international security and sustainable development, "From Bali to Poznan: New Issues, New Challenges", held at the European Parliament on 18 Dec...
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Climate Change: Beyond Bali
David B. Sandalow, 17 December 2007
The most important outcomes of the Bali climate change conference didn’t make the headlines. This article reports on the three results which deserve attention:...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.brookings.edu )
Conference on Greening Foreign and Security Policy: The Role of Europe - Final Conference Report
Jeannette E. Mullaart, Rapporteur, 6-7 December 2006
GLOBE-EU and IES co-organised a Conference on Greening Foreign and Security Policy: The Role of Europe at the European Parliament in Brussels on 6-7 December 2006. The aim of the meeting was to help promote a political process for the better...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.envirosecurity.org )
Delivering Climate Security: International Security Responses to a Climate Changed World
Nick Mabey, April, 2008 / Volume Number: 68
The multiplying security implications of climate change were increasingly acknowledged during 2007. Now, E3G Chief Executive Nick Mabey has authored a report for the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) which sets out how the security sector can...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.e3g.org )
Environmental issues in foreign policy
Tobias Nilsson inteviewing Erik Hammarskjöld, 3 December 2007
The Earth's temperature is rising. On Monday the UN climate negotiations begin in Bali and the world is talking about the climate. The environment will be one of the more important issues during Sweden's EU Presidency in 2009, and even in foreign...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.sweden.gov.se )
Europe in the World: Political choices for security and prosperity
Tom Burke and Nick Mabey, December 2006
Europe is failing to make the political choices necessary to ensure the security and prosperity of its citizens in an interdependent world. It must cultivate a rejuvenated sense of purpose if it is to rise to the challenges of the coming years....
View Publication ( Webpage - www.europeintheworld.eu )
Europe in the World: Working for Peace, Security and Stability
European Commission, October, 2007
Today’s world offers greater prospects than ever before but also greater threats. The traditional concept of self-defence – up to and including the Cold War – based on the threat of invasion is outdated. Large-scale aggression against any one EU...
View Publication ( PDF - ec.europa.eu )
European Union Profile in IESPP
Ronald A. Kingham, October, 2006
The European approach to security has evolved considerably in the recent years. While the core of European security policy is grounded in the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the EU is increasingly addressing security concerns through “soft...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
Forces for Sustainability
Nicolas Frankcom, Eric van de Giessen,
This is the report of the first Peace and Sustainability Session named "Forces for Sustainability", held in the Peace Palace in The Hague in March 2007. The meeting brought together about 70 decision makers, opinion leaders, professionals in...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
Global Responses to Global Threats: Sustainable Security for the 21st Century
Chris Abbott, Paul Rogers and John Sloboda, June 2006
This major report was the result of an 18-month long research project examining the various threats to global security, and sustainable responses to those...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk )
Globalization and Environmental Challenges: Reconceptualizing Security in the 21st Century
Brauch, H.G.; Oswald Spring, Ú.; Mesjasz, C.; Grin, J.; Dunay, P.; Behera, N.C.; Chourou, B.; Kameri-Mbote, P.; Liotta, P.H. (Eds.), Series: Hexagon Series on Human and Environmental Security and Peace , Vol. 3, 2008
Put quite simply, the twin impacts of globalization and environmental degradation pose new security dangers and...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.springer.com )
Introduction to the FBTP Conference Topics
Ronald A. Kingham, 14 December 2007
This paper introduces the various sessions of the conference "From Bali to Poznan: New Issues, New Challenges" held in Brussels on 18 December 2007 on the theme of climate change, security and sustainable...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
Inventory of Environment and Security Policies and Practices (IESPP): An Overview of Strategies and Initiatives of Selected Governments, International Organisations and Inter-Governmental Organisations
Ronald A. Kingham, Editor, First Edition - October 2006
This report provides an easy to use comparative overview of existing governmental and inter-governmental positions and actions dealing with the relationship between environment, security and sustainable...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.envirosecurity.org )
Joint Report of the Greening Foreign and Security Policy Working Groups
Institute for Environmental Security, 12 March 2007
The Joint Report of the Working Groups on Greening Foreign and Security Policy was finalised in March 2007 taking into account the results of the December 2006 GFSP Conference in Brussels and other inputs from the participants in the groups during...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.envirosecurity.org )
Joint statement by Tropical Rainforest Countries leaders
Forestry eleven (F-11) countries, 24 September 2007
A side-event at the September 2007 UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Event on Climate Change took place at the initiative of the Indonesian President. A joint Statement of Tropical Rainforest Countries’ Leaders was adopted in which these countries...
View Publication ( Webpage - unfcccbali.org )
Madrid Declaration on Environment and Security
OSCE, MC.DOC/4/07
The Madrid Declaration on Environment and Security was adopted during 15th OSCE ministerial council held in Madrid on 29 and 30 November 20007. The declaration calls for intensified cooperation in the area of environment and security in the OSCE...
View Publication ( PDF - www.osce.org )
National Security and the Threat of Climate Change
General Gordon R. Sullivan, USA (Ret.), et. al., April 2007
Global climate change presents a serious national security threat which could impact Americans at home, impact United States military operations and heighten global tensions, according to a new study released by a blue-ribbon panel of eleven retired...
View Publication ( Webpage - securityandclimate.cna.org )
OSCE Decision on the Follow-Up to the Fifteenth Economic and Environmental Forum: Water Management
OSCE, MC.DEC/7/07
OSCE decision to enhance the existing co-operation between the OSCE and the UNECE, to encourage participating States to strengthen dialogue and co-operation on water management within the OSCE and to encourage participating States to consider the...
View Publication ( PDF - www.osce.org )
Overcoming Barriers to Clean Technology: Role of Intellectual Property Rights, and Lack of Capacity and Resources
GLOBE-EU, 11 December 2007
GLOBE-EU Bali Side Event, organized in cooperation with CEPS - The Centre for European Policy Studies, 11 Dec...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
Press Articles on the Results of the Bali Climate Conference
Various, December 2007
Here are links to news articles reporting on the results of the UN Conference on Climate Change, 3-14 December 2007. They include a link to the decisions adopted, an overview and analysis of the “Bali Roadmap”, and items on the rainforest protection...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
Report on Climate Change and International Security to the European Council
European Commission and the Secretary-General/High Representative, 3 March 2008
Security risks posed by climate change are the subject of a report by the European Commission and EU's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, which was presented to the European Council meeting on 13-14 March 2008. The...
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Report on the Environment, Security and Foreign Policy of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy, European Parliament
Maj Britt Theorin , Rapporteur, 14 January 1999
The Theorin Report and Resolution focus especially on the impact of the military and war on the environment with respect to, for example, nuclear weapons testing and nuclear proliferation, chemical weapons, landmines, non-lethal weapons, etc. as...
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Resolution on the Environment, Security and Foreign Policy of the European Parliament
European Parliament, 28 January 1999
In January 1999, the European Parliament adopted a Report and Resolution on Environment, Security and Foreign Affairs. The Theorin Report and Resolution focus especially on the impact of the military and war on the environment with respect to, for...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
Road to Copenhagen 2009 - Draft Communiqué
GLOBE-Europe, Respect-Sustainable Business and Club de Madrid, November 2007
On 23 November 2007, representatives of governments, businesses, parliamentarians, NGOs and individual citizens took part in the conference and on-line forum“Road to Copenhagen-2009” organized by GLOBE-Europe, Respect-Sustainable Business and Club...
View Publication ( Webpage - roadtocopenhagen.org )
Security Council Debate on Impact of Climate Change on Peace, Security
United Nations Security Council, 17 April 2007
On 17 April 2007 the United Nations Security Council held its first-ever debate on the impact of climate change on...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.un.org )
Security Council spotlights nexus between natural resources and conflict
United Nations Security Council, 25 June 2007
The exploitation of natural resources from diamonds to timber can trigger or fuel conflicts but their effective management can also contribute to post-conflict recovery, according a statement from the UN Security Council on 25 June...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.un.org )
Security in Cooperation: The Swedish Defence Commission’s analysis of challenges and threats – English Summary
The Swedish Defence Commission, 04 December 2007
Cross-border cooperation and integration brought about by globalisation promotes development in large parts of the world. Multilateral cooperation is essential for dealing with major global challenges and...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
Statement to the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development
John Drexhage, Director, Climate Change and Energy, 28 January 2008
In this evaluation of the Bali climate change talks, the speaker suggests that among the significant accomplishments at Bali was the initiative by the Indonesian government in hosting two parallel Ministerial meetings for Finance and Trade...
View Publication ( PDF - www.iisd.org )
The Age of Consequences: The Foreign Policy and National Security Implications of Global Climate Change
Kurt M. Campbell, Jay Gulledge, J.R. McNeill, John Podesta, Peter Ogden, leon Fuerth, R. James Woolsey, Alexander T.J. lennon, Julianne Smith, Richard Weitz, and Derek Mix, November 2007
For the past year a diverse group of experts, under the direction and leadership of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), met regularly to start a new conversation to consider...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.cnas.org )
The Challenge to Repower America
Al Gore, 17 July 2008
On july 17, Nobel laureate and former Vice President Al Gore challenged America to produce 100% of its electricity “from renewable energy and truly carbon-free sources within 10 years” in a speech held in support of the We Campaign. The We Campaign...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.wecansolveit.org )
The Climate Quad: Geopolitics, Tactics and Quick Hits
Tom Spencer, 18 June 2008
Major Powers Re-assessing their Foreign and Climate...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
The EU in the World: The Foreign Policy of the European Union
European Commission, June 2007
Conscious of its global weight in economic and commercial terms, the European Union uses its power in the interests of others as well as itself. The EU promotes prosperity and supports democratic values around the world; at the same time it thereby...
View Publication ( Webpage - ec.europa.eu )
The Future in our Hands: Addressing the Leadership Challenge of Climate Change - Secretary-General’s High-Level Event on Climate Change
Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, 24 September 2007
The Secretary-General has identified climate change as a defining issue of our era and seeks to help facilitate international efforts to address the problem. The reports issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change this year show clearly...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.un.org )
The Geopolitics of Climate Change: Challenges to the International System
Peter Haldén, December 2007
This report analyses the consequences of climate change and global warming for international politics in general and international security in particular. The report focuses on whether and in what way climate change may alter the conditions of...
View Publication ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )
The Geopolitics of Energy: From Security to Survival
Carlos Pascual, January 2008
Since the industrial revolution the geopolitics of energy – who supplies it, and securing reliable access to those supplies – have been a driving factor in global prosperity and security. Over the coming decades, energy politics will determine the...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.brookings.edu )
The Post-Kyoto Bidding War: Bringing developing countries into the fold
Alex Evans, October 2007
Alex Evans discusses the evolving schism between the US approach to future climate policy, based on voluntary action, and the EU’s proposed approach, based on mandatory targets. Although the EU and US differ on the urgency of climate change, neither...
View Publication ( PDF - www.cic.nyu.edu )
World in Transition – Climate Change as a Security Risk
German Advisory Council on Global Change, January 2008
"With World in Transition – Climate Change as a Security Risk, WBGU has compiled a flagship report on an issue that quite rightly is rising rapidly up the international political agenda. The authors pull no punches on the likelihood of increasing...
View Publication ( Webpage - www.wbgu.de )
