New Norwegian network launched at the first Oslo Climate, Peace and Security Forum

The gradual rise in global temperatures is already disrupting weather patterns, changing ecosystems and exacerbating environmental degradation. A growing body of evidence indicates how the changing climate can, combined with other factors, increase risks of violent conflict through exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and undermining peace and human security. Simultaneously, climate maladaptation and mitigation efforts that result in increased societal vulnerability can also degrade social cohesion and cause grievances. The extensive damages wrought by conflict on both the climate and environment are furthermore escalating due to an increase in number of armed conflicts at the global level. These dynamics have spurred a growing sense of awareness of issues relating to the nexus of climate change, peace and security, which is also reflected through upscaled international efforts, as the implications of climate change for peace, development and security have become increasingly recognised by institutions such as NATO, the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU). 

Reflecting the complexity of the subject matter, the Forum took account and facilitated discussion of key trends and developments in the field of climate, peace and security and included speakers from across policy, research and diplomacy. The Forum was opened by State Secretary Maria Varteressian and included sessions on the agenda on climate, peace and security in geopolitics, the impact of climate change in Afghanistan and Somalia, the implications of climate change for peace in the Nordic, Arctic and Baltic peace regions, as well as an overview of current research.

The event also launched the Norwegian Climate Peace and Security Research Policy and Practice Network, which will serve as a collaborative platform for researchers and practitioners engaged in climate, peace and security based in Norway for collaboration, developing projects and doing outreach. The next Oslo Climate, Peace and Security Forum is scheduled to take place in the winter of 2026.