The Biden administration is emphasizing the national security risks posed by climate change at the UN Global Climate Change Summit, currently underway in Azerbaijan. The administration has released a fact sheet outlining its strategy for the conference, highlighting three key areas of focus: seizing clean energy opportunities, addressing climate-related security threats, and accelerating climate action.
The administration asserts that climate change poses a significant threat to national security, with escalating events such as flooding, severe storms, extreme heat, and droughts impacting military bases, infrastructure, and resources. The White House has previously released a “U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and Security” in September 2024, which emphasized that climate change exacerbates existing security vulnerabilities and necessitates increased military preparedness for disaster response.
Specifically, the administration is pushing for a robust clean energy transition, including nuclear power and clean energy capacity, as a key component of addressing climate security concerns. This approach aligns with President Biden’s recent decision to impose a new tax on methane emissions, demonstrating a commitment to tackling climate change through policy measures.
The Biden administration’s focus on climate security at the UN Climate Change Summit underscores the growing recognition of the interconnectedness of climate change and national security. The administration’s efforts to integrate climate considerations into national security policy reflect a shift towards a more comprehensive approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.
