The NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence, established in Montreal, Canada, has rapidly become a cornerstone in addressing the global security impacts of climate change for NATO, its Allies, and partners. Since its operational launch in October 2023, and formal NATO accreditation in May 2024, the Centre has been dedicated to enhancing allied awareness, supporting adaptation and mitigation efforts, and fostering cross-sectoral cooperation among international stakeholders. Supported by 12 Sponsoring Nations (Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Romania, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom), this Centre has established itself as a permanent structure with robust institutional backing.
The Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence’s mission is to integrate climate change considerations into defence and security thinking, ensuring that NATO and its partners are prepared for the evolving multi-dimensional challenges posed by a globally changing climate. The Centre aims to be an internationally recognized hub of expertise, connecting military and civilian practitioners to expand knowledge and capabilities in climate security.
This Centre of Excellence is committed to supporting the transformation needed to tackle this global and defining challenge. It will support the Alliance’s efforts to increase awareness, support adaptation, mitigate the climate and environmental impact of the military and defence sectors, and serve as a platform for cooperation, partnership, education and information exchange.
A significant milestone for the Centre was its accreditation by NATO in May 2024. This underscores the essential contribution the Centre brings to the Alliance, marking a pivotal step in integrating climate change considerations into NATO’s core tasks.
One of the Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence’s early hallmark achievements was the hosting of a special event at the 75th NATO Anniversary Washington Summit, titled “NATO in a Climate-Changed World,” in July 2024. This event, co-hosted with the Government of Canada at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and supported by the governments of Germany and the United States, brought together senior military and civilian representatives to discuss the security implications of climate change for NATO and its Allies, highlighting NATO’s efforts in this domain.
Looking ahead, the Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence is set to co-host the Montreal Climate Security Summit at the end of October. This Summit is an annual international meeting at the intersection of climate change and security, bringing together participants from across the NATO Alliance and beyond. This year, they are expecting an audience of 200 guests, including high-level civilian and military practitioners, policymakers, decision-makers, and seasoned researchers from NATO member countries, multilateral and regional organizations, industry, think tanks, and civil society.
The NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence, has rapidly solidified its position as a pivotal force in addressing the escalating security threats posed by climate change. As a dedicated hub of expertise, the Centre is committed to enhancing allied awareness, supporting adaptation and mitigation efforts, and fostering international cooperation. Through its initiatives, such as the quarterly journal and the annual Montreal Climate Security Summit, the Centre is empowering NATO and its partners to navigate the challenges of a changing climate and build a more resilient and secure future.
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