National Climate-Security Summit

9th October 2024 |  10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Mills Room, Chancellery Building, The Australian National University

The National Climate-Security Summit aims to bring together leading voices from the security, defence, and climate communities to generate actionable recommendations to shape Australia’s strategic responses to climate-related security threats. The summit will focus on influencing the national climate-and-security policy debate, Australia’s approach to climate risk assessment, how to build greater awareness of climate-related risks, and advocate for stronger, more decisive action.

Under the theme Strategic Responses to Protect, Prevent, & Prepare, the summit will host an expert roundtable to address the critical security risks that climate change is creating for Australia and our region. As climate impacts escalate – driving conflict, displacement, and resource scarcity – the need for Australia to develop a coordinated, strategic response has never been more urgent. With Australia and its neighbours on the climate frontline, this event offers a crucial platform to address these pressing challenges.

Join General Tom Middendorp (Retd), Chair of the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS) and former Chief of Defence of the Netherlands, as our keynote speaker at the Summit’s expert roundtable. General Middendorp, a global leader in climate security, will share his invaluable experience on how military and security sectors are confronting the growing risks posed by climate change.

Why Attend?
The summit roundtable will focus on five key aims:

1. Enhance Understanding of Climate Security Risks
   With expert speakers and discussions, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how climate change is driving security risks both for Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
2. Develop Actionable Recommendations
   The summit will develop practical recommendations to help guide government and policy responses to climate security risks.
3. Promote Risk & Threat Assessment
   Build momentum for an effective, transparent, and robust climate-and-security risk assessment.
4. Advocate for Strategic Action
   Influence the government’s climate-risk methodologies and processes to ensure climate security is embedded into national policy and planning frameworks.
5. Raise Public and Media Awareness
   Generate wider media and public attention on the intersection of climate and security to ensure this critical issue remains a focal point in national policy discussions.

A Strategic Moment for Australia

Australia’s leadership on climate security has been slow to respond to the increasing risks. This summit will play a pivotal role in shaping a new era of strategic thinking.

We urge you to register for the summit roundtable and be part of these crucial discussions. Your involvement is essential to help shape Australia’s climate-security future.