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Foreign policy, security and development

Climate impacts outside Europe are likely to affect European foreign, security and development policy through their effect on livelihoods, water, food and energy systems, security and diplomatic relations in countries with close ties to the EU and its member states. Vulnerable regions are likely to see additional hurdles on their way to achieve peace and sustainable development, while shifting availability of resources could create rivalry and tensions between states and communities. This will not only hamper European cooperation with affected countries but possibly also create new cross-border challenges with regard to migration, supply chains, and multilateral governance.

peacekeeper in Haiti — Credit: Gideon Mendel/Corbis via Getty Images

This workstream will analyse impacts of climate change on livelihoods, water, food security, displacements, and conflict in third countries and assess possible implications for the EU. Research will emphasise focus regions of European foreign, security and development policy such as the Western Sahel and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
We will identify major policy challenges and opportunities for the EU and its member states, as well as implications for the evolving role of the EU within the international system. Based on this assessment, we will develop detailed recommendations on how to adjust European policies and policy instruments.
Throughout the duration of the project we will actively engage with- and seek feedback from stakeholders and experts in Europe and in third countries that are in the focus of our analysis. This way, we strive to ensure the validity and practical relevance of our results, while profiting from diverse perspectives