The evolving landscape of global security, increasingly intertwined with the imperatives of climate adaptation and energy transition, is prompting even long-standing alliances to adapt their strategies.
This dynamic was evident on December 12, 2024, when the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a cornerstone of Western collective security since 1949, welcomed a high-level delegation from the International Council on Environmental Economics and Development (ICEED) to its Brussels headquarters. Discussions centered on NATO’s evolving priorities, spanning traditional security challenges alongside the critical need for climate adaptation and the global energy transition. The exchange of views with key NATO officials highlighted the alliance’s continuous efforts to address both enduring threats and emerging environmental and energy-related security concerns.
The ICEED delegation attended a lunch hosted by Claudio Palestini, an official from the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, where the conversation centered on expanding NATO’s partnerships in education, research, and innovation. ICEED and SPS Programme officials are exploring ways to foster greater engagement between NATO and academic institutions to mutually improve global research and contingency planning to address the world’s climate and economic security challenges. NATO’s representatives expressed enthusiasm for strengthening engagement with civilian organizations like ICEED, particularly in areas of climate resilience and sustainable energy development. As NATO expands its partnerships beyond traditional military alliances, ICEED looks forward to further collaboration with NATO, bridging the gap between security and sustainability for a more resilient future.