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International Conference in Berlin: Climate Diplomacy in Perspective – From Early Warning to Early Action

10 October 2011 - 11 October 2011
Berlin, Germany

During the UN Security Council debate of 20 July 2011, the Council unanimously expressed concern about the possible impacts of climate change on peace and security. This lively debate with a record participation clearly underlined the need for climate protection and early action to address the security implications of climate change.

Against this backdrop, the German Federal Foreign Office hosted - in cooperation with the think tank adelphi - a two-day conference in Berlin that explored ways to further develop regional cooperation and dialogue in light of a changing climate. Opened by the German Minister of State Cornelia Pieper, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner (via video message), Bangladesh’s Minister of Environment Hasan Mahmud, and MohamedShareef, Minister of State in the Republic of Maldives Environment Ministry, the conference welcomed 100 policy-makers and experts from more than 30 countries.

The participants emphasised the need for urgent action that complements and also goes beyond international climate negotiations. To this end, they stressed the importance of enhancing the dialogue on climate change and security, building early warning capacities and fostering partnerships for early action and conflict prevention. Participants engaged in dedicated working groups on the three thematic areas water resource management, global food security, and rising sea levels that threaten coastal areas and low-lying island states. Their key recommendations include:

• to evaluate the need for a geopolitical change management that takes into account the effects of changing physical environments on governance structures;

• to rethink the concept of national sovereignty as future challenges go beyond political borders and to consider a strengthened role for regions of common exposure such as river deltas;

• to create awareness for shared vulnerabilities and dynamic adaptation needs in the light of globalisation, industrialisation and demographic changes;

• to develop guidelines for conflict sensitive adaptation practices, which includes linking track I and track II initiatives to reflect on the interests of groups most affected by climate change;

• to build capacities to spend climate funds coherently and transparently with a special view to the governance challenges of fragile countries and regions.

Read the entire conference brief online.

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