The double cost crunch: Why climate investments are essential for security 

When: Tuesday 06 October 2026 | 15:50 - 16:50

Format: Breakout session

As climate impacts intensify, many economies face a “double cost crunch”: the simultaneous economic pressure from climate damages and the low-carbon transition. When layered onto existing fiscal and structural pressures, this dynamic can strain state capacity and heighten risks for security and geopolitical stability.

This breakout session draws on the GeoClimRisk (The Geopolitics of Climate Risks) project, which examines how climate change, its economic impacts, and geopolitical dynamics interact to shape emerging security risks. Building on modelling insights on the “double cost crunch” and the research carried out over the duration of the project, the session explores key challenges at the climate–security nexus.

A short scientific input is followed by assessments from representatives of the three countries and an interactive discussion with all participants. The session concludes with a set of jointly developed key takeaways.

GeoClimRisk is implemented by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the Climate Diplomacy Action Programme (CDAP) on behalf of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the federal government of Germany.

Speakers: 

• Utkarsh Patel, Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP)
• Putra Maswan, Finance and Economic Analyst, Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) Indonesia

Moderated by Florian Postel, Advisor, German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ)

Return to the BCSC 2026 Agenda.