National Security Implications of Climate-Related Risks and a Changing Climate


Publisher: U.S. Department of Defense

Date: 2015

Topics: Climate Change, Programming

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This report identifies the most serious and likely climate-related security risks for each Combatant Command, the ways in which the Combatant Commands are integrating mitigation of these risks into their planning processes, and a description of the resources required for an effective response. 

This report responds to the request by the Senate Committee on Appropriations for information on the National Security Implications of Climate Change made in the report to accompany H.R. 4870, the Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Act for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015. Specifically, the Committee requested that the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy provide a report to:

 

  • Identify the most serious and likely climate-related security risks for each Combatant Command.
  • Identify ways Combatant Commands integrate risk mitigation in their planning processes, including in the areas of:

-          Humanitarian disaster relief;

-          Security cooperation;

-          Building partner capacity; and

-          Sharing best practices for mitigation of installation vulnerabilities.

  • Describe resources required for an effective response and the timeline of resources needs.

 

This report is organized into three primary sections:

 

  1. Common Conceptions of Risk and Response
  2. Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs) – Specific Aspects
  3. Conclusion