adelphi

The publication “Climate Diplomacy: Reducing Risks for Security” documents the initiative of the German Federal Foreign Office on climate change and security. In particular, it details the series of regional dialogues, climate security dialogues, as well as activities that took place in the context of the United Nations Security Council.

On a side event on climate change and its impact on foreign and security policy, in New York, 28 September, UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson argues that “the only viable answer to energy security, food security and water security and long-term geo-political security is a sustainable, low-emissions economy”. The side event was organized by Germany and Morocco.

The changing climate has severe implications, locally, regionally and globally. adelphi’s latest publication “Climate Diplomacy in Perspective – From Early Warning to Early Action” highlights the key positions in the debate on the security risks of climate change and the prospects of climate diplomacy. With insightful contributions from politicians, experts and leading scholars, the publication gives particular emphasis to water resource management, global food security, and rising sea levels that threaten coastal areas and low-lying island states. The authors explore ways to further develop regional cooperation and dialogue in light of a changing climate and provide strong arguments for urgent action that complements international climate negotiations.

Source:
Ryan McNamara, New Security Beat

Tensions in the South China Sea increased last April when a Chinese coast guard ship sank a Vietnamese fishing boat near the Paracel Islands—a fiercely disputed territory in the South China Sea. Disputes over island territories in the region have endured for decades, with China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei all making overlapping territorial claims. The region is rich in natural resources and biodiversity, holding vast fish stocks and an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 cubic feet of natural gas.

Early Warning & Risk Analysis
Asia
Dhanasree Jayaram, MAHE

Without a coordinated strategy to tackle flooding disasters beyond the traditional infrastructural measures and river water sharing agreements, South Asia’s woes will continue in the future.

Biodiversity & Livelihoods
South America
Andrés Bermúdez Liévano, China Dialogue

With Argentina's ‘yes’, the Escazú Agreement is one step away from coming into force. What’s its status in each country?

Christian König and Adrian Foong, adelphi

As political and public narratives on COVID-19 shift towards the need to ‘build back better’, the pandemic continues to take a heavy toll for many. A new report by the Climate Security Expert Network (CSEN) shows how COVID-19 can exacerbate climate-related security risks.