
The Center for Climate and Security is a solutions-oriented, bridge-building research institute focused on tackling systemic climate and ecological security risks. We break down silos across disciplines to ensure climate change considerations are integrated into security policies and security concerns are integrated into climate policy, both in the United States and countries around the globe. We facilitate interdisciplinary policy development, conduct groundbreaking research and analysis, and host resources and communities of practice on the intersection of climate change and security challenges.
Lines Of Effort
- Research and Analysis: We conduct forward-leaning research and publish analysis to examine the impact of climate change on a range of national and international security issues. Our policy-relevant research seeks to translate between disciplinary divides, including on how climate change is exacerbating conflict risk; compounding food, water, and human insecurity; straining institutions, and reshaping geopolitics.
- Policy Engagement: We develop policies for governments and other stakeholders to better address the climate-security nexus, educate policymakers, and track implementation. We convene and engage policymakers and practitioners publicly and privately for discussions, events, and tabletop exercises. We are pragmatic without losing sight of the transformative changes required by climate change.
- Professional Community Development: We offer training, host resources, and cultivate professional communities and networks to develop the security workforce required by a changing climate. These include the Climate Security Working Group (a network of US academics, government officials, NGO analysts, and others), the International Military Council on Climate and Security (an international consortium of security institutions and leaders), and fellowship programs for young people in climate and ecological security. We also act as a resource hub for key climate security documents from governments and international institutions.
The Center for Climate and Security is a non-partisan institute of the Council on Strategic Risks, a non-profit organization. It was founded in 2010 by Francesco Femia and Caitlin Werrell.
Website: For more, visit the Center for Climate and Security website.
Team: See the Center for Climate and Security team here.
Featured Projects and Initiatives

The Military Responses to Climate Hazards Tracker (MiRCH)
Tracking the deployment of military and paramilitary personnel and equipment in response to natural hazards exacerbated by climate change, worldwide.

Feeding Resilience: Food Security and Climate Change Impacts on National Security
Framed under the twin premises that international stability is foundational to U.S. national security and that food security is foundational to stability.

Climate Risks: Fusing Security, Science, and Storytelling
CCS has partnered with scientists at the Woodwell Climate Research Center and regional experts to examine climate security risks in key locations.
Recent content from CCS
For a full list of CCS content, see here.
- November 2023 Update: Military Responses to Climate Hazards (MiRCH) TrackerIn November 2023, MiRCH identified 10 military responses to climate change-related hazards, including wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and landslides. The tracker documented deployments in 8 countries.
- CCS Endorses COP28 Declaration On Climate, Relief, Recovery And PeaceThe Center for Climate and Security (CCS), an institute of the Council on Strategic Risks, is proud to endorse the urgent call to action embodied in the COP28 Declaration On Climate, Relief, Recovery And Peace, and welcomes the COP’s inclusion of a dedicated day on the topic for the first time. This Declaration reflects inputs… Read more: CCS Endorses COP28 Declaration On Climate, Relief, Recovery And Peace
- Climate Security at COP28: Issues to WatchAs the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change kicks off in the UAE later this week, a range of challenging security and geopolitical dynamics will shape the landscape against which the negotiations will unfold. At the same time, it’s never been clearer that action to tackle climate threats can pay peace, security, and stability dividends.
- Climate Finance, Food Security, and Cracks in the Transatlantic Alliance at COP28: Recommendations for the Global StocktakeWhile most member states recognize that climate change is driving, and will continue to drive, migration and food insecurity, and is disproportionately impacting marginalized populations, climate finance is a glaring gap in their policies and plans to respond to the resulting threats.
- Event Summary: Implications for NATO of Climate Security Scenarios in the BalkansAn exercise conducted with the Halifax Peace with Women Fellowship 2023 By Lily Boland On October 30, the Center for Climate and Security (CCS) led a scenario exercise on climate security for the new class of the Halifax Peace with Women Fellowship, which convenes senior female military leaders from NATO and partner countries for a… Read more: Event Summary: Implications for NATO of Climate Security Scenarios in the Balkans