Institute for Environmental Security

Advancing Environmental Security through Science - Diplomacy - Law - Finance - Education

Unearthing Complexity: linking Drivers and Impacts of Extreme Drought in the Amazon

5 November 2024 - This article by Simon Handy of IES explores the nexus of climate, crime, and social-ecological destruction in the Amazon, in response to the New York Times’ coverage of the recent record drought in which conditions are pushing energy infrastructure to breaking point, rivers are drying up, becoming impassable for boats and destroying fisheries, and smoke from wildfires is engulfing entire cities.

Powerful call to action by Ukraine and members of civil society for the International Criminal Court to address ‘ecocide’

13 December 2023 - IES co-organised an official side event addressing “ecocide” of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine in conjunction with the 22nd Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on12 December 2023, New York City.

REMEMBERING TOM SPENCER

3 May 2023 - Our dear friend and colleague Tom Spencer passed away peacefully on 4 May 2023. Tom was a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and a member and Vice-Chair of GMACCC since its beginning in 2009.

China’s pursuit of growth threatens an ecological disaster

13 January 2023 - China is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world — and on extracting minerals and natural resources in an ecologically destructive and polluting way abroad.

Ecocide in Ukraine: An Interview with Wouter Veening

8 December 2022 - IES President Wouter Veening speaks out about the ecocide that is taking place in Ukraine.

The battle for the planet: Who will win the war with nature and her allies?

The Hague, 11 June 2020- Message from Wouter Veening, IES Chairman

Environmental defenders continue to be attacked even during the COVID-19 crisis

19 June 2020 - At least six environmentalist have been killed in different Latin American countries since 11 March the date on which the WHO declared the COVID-19 disease a pandemic

Measures to combat COVID-19 impact wildlife trafficking but criminal networks are gearing up to increase operations

The Hague, 29 April 2020, Wildlife Justice Commission releases new analysis

IES Launches new website

The new IES website not only has a new look and an improved structure. We are also introducing many new features and we are working to ensure continued access to all of the institute's previous activities - projects, publications, events and news items.

New Water Footprint Assessment Tool is Online

The Hague, 18 March 2020

WRI Insights: How Floods in Pakistan Threaten Global Security

Washington D.C., 14 February 2023 - In a feature article published by today by the World Resources Institute the authors explain How Floods in Pakistan Threaten Global Security. The article informs us in explicit detail why floods are a growing threat in Pakistan, how flooding and other water risks create instability, how instability threatens national security and how decreasing water stress can boost Pakistan’s stability.

Organized environmental crime: Why it matters for peace operations

Stockholm, 12 May 2022 - In a feature article published by SIPRI, Dr Marina Caparini writes that "Organized environmental crime has become one of the fastest-growing types of organized crime. In many conflict-affected contexts, it is the primary source of financing for non-state armed groups. In the light of this, how can peace operations and other multilateral actors respond to conflicts that are driven or sustained by activities that involve illegal exploitation and trade in natural resources?"

US Arctic Report Card is incomplete without tackling solutions

Washington, D.C., 14 December 2021 - An opinion article says world leaders should not sign off on NOAA’s Arctic Report Card without taking a hard look at its findings. They must initiate a process to define the Arctic we need for a safe climate, and then develop all-of-government and global strategies to get us there.

China: The thirsty drowning dragon

The Hague, 15 June 2021 - In all articles these days about China’s position in the world, one subject has remained underexposed: the country’s great ecological vulnerability

Illegal Mining in the Orinoco Basin Ravaging the Environment and Human Rights

The Hague, 8 March 2020 - A new short documentary seeks to denounce how unique ecosystems of the Guiana Shield - 19.8% of which is in the Amazonian region of Venezuela - are being destroyed mostly by gold mining. IES President, Wouter Veening, comments.

All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon’s Perspective on Climate Change

01 July - 2020 - Review by Brig. Gen. W. Chris King, Ret.

Rethinking our Relationship with Nature

The Hague, 19 April 2020: TV interview with Jane Goodall

Dare To Be Great: Unlock Your Power to Create a Better World

Report highlights climate and security risks in North Africa and the Sahel

Conflict Prevention in an Era of Climate Change: Adapting the UN to Climate-Security Risks

Interview with General Ghazi on how reality replaces ideology & climate security risk

Madrid, 16 December 2019: Interview highlights growing constraints of a resource-strapped region

Planetary Security: The Security Implications of Climate Change

Brussels, 10 December 2019: Article explains the urgent need both for effective climate change action and for steps to be taken to prepare for life in a drastically different world, where global warming and related environmental degradation will impact on security.