NATO Wants to Be a Leader on Climate Security. Here Are the Next Steps to Get There.

Aug 19, 2024 | Heidi Hardt and Jacqueline Burns
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At the NATO Summit in Washington summit last month, the United States and its allies reiterated the Alliance’s ambitious commitment: to become “the leading international organisation for understanding and adapting to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather on security.” The goal stems from a growing awareness among many about how climate change is shaping NATO’s ability to deter and defend. Wildfires are disrupting training and military exercises, while extreme heat has contributed to soldiers’ deaths and rendered multimillion dollar equipment nonfunctional. Rising sea levels threaten naval bases and other critical infrastructure, while warmer air is impeding the performance of aircraft, including rotorcraft. What has the Alliance done so far to counter these threats, and what steps will incoming Secretary General Mark Rutte and allies need to take to ensure NATO can deliver on this commitment?