A natural line of defence: Nature, biodiversity and climate as security assets

When: Tuesday 06 October 2026 | 14:20 - 14:45

Format: Spotlight session

Ecosystems and nature do not only protect people from the severe impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, but they also act as foundations of national security. However, in a period of rising defence spending, shrinking development cooperation budgets and growing pressure to prioritise immediate economic and security concerns, the security aspects of climate, nature and biodiversity risk being overlooked. This spotlight session will examine why nature, biodiversity and climate should be understood not as separate environmental concerns, but as strategic assets that underpin economic resilience, security and stability, human well-being and international influence.

Climate impacts and ecosystem degradation in all corners of the world can affect Europe through disrupted supply chains, food and energy price volatility, heightened displacement pressures, organised crime, weakened partners and rising crisis response costs. At the same time, cooperation on climate and nature offers governments a practical way to invest upstream in resilience, strengthen partnerships and protect the rules and institutions that support a stable international order.

The session will explore how this strategic framing can translate into credible policy and investment choices. It will also address the conditions under which development cooperation can deliver lasting value: working with partner countries, strengthening local ownership, supporting inclusive and rules-based governance and aligning climate and nature action with wider economic and security priorities.

Return to the BCSC 2026 Agenda.