More than 150 representatives from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries participated in the Alliance’s first Industry Symposium on Climate Change and Capabilities on January 23, 2023.
The participants from NATO countries and industries discussed how NATO’s ambitions on climate change and security can be taken into account in the development of new military capabilities.
According to the NATO statement, the representatives discussed ways “to exploit innovative and green technology in capability requirements, self-sustainment of forces and infrastructure, and the development of sustainable fuels for capabilities in the air, land, and maritime domains.”
NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment Wendy Gilmour said that “I am encouraged by the interest shown by our industry partners in engaging with NATO on these issues, and look forward to continuing to develop our relationship.”
Gilmour further added that “The Alliance is working hard on meeting our objectives on climate change and security. We are ensuring that military capabilities are ready for the future, while taking account of the defence sector’s impact on the environment requires close partnership with industry, both from the defence as well as the civilian world.”
During the symposium, the NATO allies recognized climate change as a threat multiplier, affecting NATO’s security, operations, and missions.
The NATO statement highlighted that “As part of the NATO 2030 agenda, the Alliance has been actively engaging experts, civil society, and the private sector in developing its Climate Change and Security Agenda, which was adopted by NATO leaders in 2021.”
At the 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid, the Alliance’s Secretary General Stoltenberg launched an annual High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Security, as NATO is incorporating climate change considerations into its work on capability development.
