By Dr. Olga Donets
From February 14 to 16, 2025, the 61st Munich Security Conference will serve as the epicenter of international diplomacy, bringing together over 60 heads of state and government, as well as more than 100 ministers, to discuss the most pressing global challenges. The conference will address a range of conflicts, including Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as issues related to security, energy, migration, artificial intelligence, economic challenges, and international trade. One of the central themes of this year’s forum is climate security, which is viewed not only as an environmental issue but also as a key component of global stability and international security.
This focus is no coincidence. In recent years, climate risks have reached unprecedented levels. The summers of 2023 and 2024 were the hottest on record, exceeding pre-industrial levels by more than 1.5°C. This has resulted in extreme weather conditions in many parts of the world: super typhoons in Asia, devastating hurricanes in the Atlantic, and massive wildfires in Canada, Australia, and southern Europe—all of which underscore the reality that climate change is no longer a distant threat but an immediate crisis. Furthermore, catastrophic floods in Germany, Belgium, and China have destroyed thousands of homes and claimed hundreds of lives, demonstrating that extreme weather events know no geographical boundaries. Additionally, projections indicate that global warming will significantly exceed the critical 1.5°C threshold, which climate scientists regard as a key boundary for preventing the most severe consequences of climate change. Forecasts suggest a possible temperature rise of 2.5–2.9°C by the end of the century.
Despite these challenges, there is still hope for progress. The rapid expansion of renewable energy and its growing economic competitiveness have led to a surge in clean energy investments. Moreover, Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine has further highlighted the urgent need for energy independence, increasing demand for renewable sources as a way to reduce reliance on fossil fuel monopolies and volatile energy markets. As a result, climate, economic, and geopolitical interests are becoming increasingly aligned. However, if countries prioritize national economic and security policies over global climate needs, this could slow the progress toward carbon neutrality.
The 2024 Munich Security Report underscores that the increasing alignment of climate, geopolitical, and economic goals can either accelerate or hinder progress toward net-zero emissions. On one hand, this synergy advances the global green agenda. On the other hand, national interests may create legal and political barriers to the implementation of international climate agreements and initiatives, complicating efforts to achieve decarbonization and sustainable development. For instance, the rivalry between the United States and China in the green energy sector could drive technological breakthroughs and investments, but it could also threaten global climate policies by undermining cooperation and fragmenting clean technology markets. China dominates supply chains for clean technologies, posing a challenge for policymakers who seek to balance reducing dependency on Beijing with the need for international cooperation in decarbonization. Additionally, shifts in U.S. climate policy must be considered. President Donald Trump, following his inauguration, signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. The newly elected president also aims to halt land and water leasing for wind energy projects, repeal Biden administration policies supporting electric vehicles, and expand fossil fuel extraction.
At the same time, climate security remains an integral part of global security, necessitating active measures and cooperation to address climate challenges worldwide. This includes issues such as climate finance, transitioning away from fossil fuels, scaling up renewable energy, reducing emissions, and protecting and restoring forests.
At the 2025 Munich Security Conference, these issues remain at the forefront, as world leaders seek to balance national interests with global climate efforts. This year’s discussions focus on strengthening international cooperation, overcoming political and economic barriers, and ensuring a just and effective transition to a green economy. Several panel discussions at the forum have been dedicated to climate security.
On February 14, 2025, the panel discussion ‘From Ashes to Action: Climate Cooperation in a Heated World’ provided a crucial platform for discussing climate threats, global cooperation, and strategies for effective climate response.
The discussion featured leading politicians and experts, including Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze, European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. A key takeaway from the conference was the realization that climate change has evolved into a direct threat to international security. Speakers emphasized that global warming already has catastrophic consequences, including extreme weather events, droughts, floods, rising sea levels, and climate-induced migration. This is particularly urgent for small island nations like Fiji, which are at the forefront of the climate crisis. Prime Minister Rabuka stated:
“For us, climate change is not just a long-term issue. It is a matter of survival today. We don’t need just promises—we need real action because our islands are already disappearing due to rising sea levels.”
This statement reflects the urgent need for decisive global action. The discussion also highlighted the importance of international collaboration between developed nations and climate-vulnerable countries. Speakers stressed the role of the European Union and the United States in providing financial and technological support to nations most affected by climate change. Additionally, participants focused on climate finance, stressing the necessity of increasing investments in renewable energy, infrastructure projects, and climate adaptation measures. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse underscored the critical role of the private sector, arguing that significant climate progress cannot be achieved without business involvement. He highlighted the importance of investments in green technologies, industrial decarbonization, and the expansion of ESG standards. Another key topic was political leadership, with speakers noting that many governments adopt ambitious climate policies but fail to implement them effectively.
The 2025 Munich Security Conference also provided a platform for addressing climate-induced migration. The panel discussion “Tides and Turns, Hope and Despair: Navigating Climate Migration” drew global attention to the scale of the issue and the urgent need for solutions. High-ranking officials, experts in international law, environmental policy, and social sciences examined the challenges facing both climate migrants and host countries.
A major concern was the growing number of people forced to leave their homes due to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, land degradation, and increasing temperatures. Experts emphasized that climate displacement is already a reality, yet the international community has not established clear legal frameworks to manage it. The lack of recognized legal status for climate migrants makes their integration and access to aid more difficult. Additionally, the discussion addressed the challenges for host countries, which must adapt their policies, social infrastructure, and economies to accommodate climate migrants. A significant influx of migrants places strain on housing, healthcare, and labor markets, potentially leading to social tensions. However, some panelists noted that climate migration can also present opportunities, as migrants bring new skills and labor resources that could benefit receiving countries’ economies. Panelists called for greater international cooperation to address climate migration. Proposed solutions included global financial support mechanisms for affected countries, expanded resettlement programs, and humanitarian visas for climate-displaced persons. Another key recommendation was investing in climate adaptation to reduce forced migration, such as sustainable development initiatives, advanced environmental technologies, improved water infrastructure, and land conservation programs.
In conclusion, the 2025 Munich Security Conference reaffirmed that fighting climate change requires coordinated global action. World leaders must move from declarations to concrete steps in decarbonization, green economic development, ecosystem protection, and climate justice. Without urgent, cooperative efforts, humanity risks failing to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
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