At its January plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) addressed the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on peace, security and defence. The Committee stresses the urgent need to invest in setting up resilient responses to these global challenges.

Given that the fundamental mission of the EU project is to promote and preserve peace, Europe needs to step up its peace-building efforts.

In its opinion adopted at the plenary session, the EESC stresses that promoting peace is inextricably linked to the preservation and promotion of fundamental rights and democracy. Therefore, the Committee's position is that it is imperative to continue integrating the climate and security nexus into the EU's external policies. This should be done by creating proactive interfaces between the institutions responsible for external relations, internal EU cohesion and the Member States' security and defence services. The term "climate and security nexus" refers to the impacts of both climate change and environmental degradation on peace, security and defence.

Ozlem Yildirim, EESC member and rapporteur for the opinion said: "The EESC is also proposing specific measures to anticipate effectively, in particular by investing in resilient responses, preparing decision-making processes for the tensions to come, and above all establishing a real strategy on this issue at EU level. Prompt and effective compliance with climate commitments by all parties is also an important preventive lever!"

The European Commission's proposal takes account of the climate and security nexus. However, the EESC feels that the document falls short of establishing geographical, political and military parameters, as it fails to touch on the evolving nature of this nexus, when in fact the situation is going to deteriorate and may lead to serious tensions between the Member States. The Commission and the Member States need to have a permanent specific dialogue on the climate and security nexus. (at)