Droughts, floods and heatwaves threaten livelihoods, increase migration pressure and therefore lead to conflict and famine, interrupt supply chains and endanger critical infrastructure. The impacts of climate change thereby trigger costs far beyond the regions directly affected. If we talk about security we thus also need to talk about the climate.

Since it was first held in 2019, the Berlin Climate and Security Conference (BCSC) has developed into the leading global forum for these issues. It connects governments, international organisations, researchers, civil society and practitioners as they seek concrete solutions at the interface between climate, peace and security.

The 8th annual conference, organised by the Federal Foreign Office and the thinktank adelphi global, is focusing on “A climate for security, freedom and prosperity”.

At a time of rising defence spending and tight budgets, the key question is how security and climate action can mutually strengthen each other. Discussions are underway, for example, on how climate change adaptation can become a strategic advantage for energy supply and defence – and how AI can play a role. The focus will also be on climate-resilient reconstruction in Syria and the question of how climate effects reinforce extremism and terrorism.

Furthermore, the spotlight will be on how effective climate action can also bolster economic security. The situation is particularly clear with regard to food. Even now there is huge pressure on food supplies around the world. Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine and the resulting transport crisis in the Black Sea is causing a global shortage of fertiliser and thus food. The conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting high energy prices are exacerbating this dynamic further. In this tense situation, the disasters triggered by climate change paired with phenomena such as this year’s Super El Niño are fanning the flames.

The results from Berlin are to feed into the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP31 in Antalya (Turkey) in November and the United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) in December.

You can find the programme and livestream at https://berlin-climate-security-conference.de