Developing the reactive tools at the security community’s disposal also depends on progress being made in complementary climate processes. Carmelo Abela, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta, understands this is a complex task, but believes strong and comprehensive partnerships can make it possible.

For Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director at Greenpeace, there is a need for the climate community and foreign policymakers to treat climate change as a crisis and announce it as the emergency that it is. She adds that what affected nations say should hold greater sway than what oil-producing nations say.

As a risk multiplier, climate change demands a coordinated approach to mitigate compound crises. Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the UN, explains how different UN bodies are working together to address climate change, taking into account the varying needs of different regions, as well as their social, economic and political conditions.

Foreign ministers from small and big countries can learn a lot from one another by exchanging knowledge and experience. Palau’s Foreign Minister Faustina Rehuher-Marugg calls for more attention to be paid to the needs of small countries, and for the UN Security Council to pay greater attention to nature-based threats to security.