Climate security

Climate security is a new perspective on climate work. Climate security consists of mitigating and adapting to climate change. Adaptation is urgently needed everywhere in society, as extreme weather resulting from climate change are increasing at an accelerating rate and have a direct impact on regional development and the future of industries.

What is climate security and why is it important?

Climate security combines climate crisis and climate emergency. Climate crisis is a term describing global warming and climate change, and their impacts. This term and the term climate emergency have been used to describe the threat of global warming to humanity and the planet, and to urge climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Climate change threatens the stability and security of society in many ways, and its effects will only intensify in the coming decades. Both the changing climate and strong mitigation and adaptation efforts create new uncertainties and risks.

Climate change can exacerbate food, water, health and livelihood insecurity, with cascading effects such as increased competition over natural resources, social disruptions, and displacement. This can lead to increased tensions, conflict, and instability in a country or region.

Climate change is not only a threat to the future of our planet, it is already driving humanitarian crises around the world. Climate security refers also to the impacts of the climate crisis on peace and security, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Climate change affects also the way that our economy functions. This happens as a result of two types of risk:

  • the physical risks of a changing climate, including more frequent or severe weather events like flooding, droughts and storms
  • the transition risks from moving towards a carbon-neutral economy

A new approach to managing climate-related risks is needed.

For more information, please contact Mr. Jyri Wuorisalo, jyri.wuorisalo@savonia.fi

HNPW 2025

Join us at HNPW 2025: Climate Security

The Humanitarian Networks & Partnerships Week (HNPW) conference is an annual humanitarian event that provides a collaborative space for experts, stakeholders and practitioners from a diverse array of organisations (UN agencies, IFRC, NGOs, military, private sector, academia, and Member States) that can express their experiences, introduce new ideas and tools, and connect and cooperate in finding solutions to common challenges in crisis preparedness and response. The event is March 24-27 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Event Program and the participant registration is available here www.hnpw.org.

The Finnish Humanitarian Delegation (https://disaster.fi/) led by the Ministry of the Interior is participating in the event for the seventh time. We host sessions alongside partners and collaborators that consider, through multiple angles, how to support sustainability in humanitarian action. We’ll be also at the exhibition area stand 35. 

We are hosting session Climate Security – How sets out key steps for managing climate risks to protect people. The climate emergency is the biggest economic, social, and environmental threat facing the planet and humanity. Climate-related disasters have almost doubled compared to the previous twenty years. This has exacerbated inequalities within and between countries.

The goal of the session is to find more effective ways to collaborate in the climate crisis to promote human security. The session will be held as a discussion between experts from different fields. The session follows the Chatham House Rule. Rule helps create a trusted environment to understand and resolve complex problems. Its guiding spirit is: share the information you receive, but do not reveal the identity of who said it.

Time: 25 March 2025, 11:00-12:30 (UTC+1) at the Geneva International Conference Center CICG

Presentation

  • Ms Kerstin Stendahl, A Comprehensive Approach to Climate Security. She is the Special Representative on Environment Security at the Ministry of the Environment of Finland. She is also the Special Representative of the OSCE (The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) Chairpersonship-in Office on Climate and Security during Finland´s chairpersonship in 2025. 

Panelists

  • Mr Andrew Harper,Special Advisor to the High Commissioner for Refugees on Climate Action (UNHCR)
  • Ms Elizabeth Sellwood, Senior Advisor, Environmental Security, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • Ms Maria Mekri, Executive Director, SaferGlobe – independent peace and security think tank
  • Mr Kimmo Laukkanen, Deputy Head of Mission, Head of Environment and Economic Dimension Permanent Mission of Finland to The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
  • Ms. Emilia Wahlstrom, Programme Officer in the Partnership Branch, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

Commentator

  • Mr Anton Tkachenko, Head of Economics Department, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, National Scientific Center ”Institute of Agriculture of NAAS” (Kyiv, Ukraine)

Moderators:

  • Ms Saara Karkulahti works as the project manager of the regional climate work development project at the North Savo business, transport and environment center. She has experience in preparing and implementing a regional climate road map and developing networks. Saara is also active in political decision-making as a member of the council of the largest city in the region and as chairman of the board of the Savonia University of Applied Sciences.
  • Mr Jyri Wuorisalo, RDI-specialist at Savonia University of Applied Sciences. He has long experience in leading climate change projects and developing a comprehensive security concept with authorities. His area of expertise is climate security and human security. The European Climate Pact Secretariat appointed Jyri as an European Climate Pact Ambassador from the beginning of 2025.

The story of our delegation why we are participating in the HNPW event:

Harnessing collaboration for resilience

The Finnish consortium — a dynamic collaboration of public and private organizations, NGOs, think tanks and universities of applied sciences— is at the forefront of tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. By sharing expertise, fostering partnerships, and exploring cutting-edge solutions, we are shaping a more resilient and secure future for all.

Adapting to a Rapidly Changing World

The world is evolving faster than ever, driven by shifting global policies, a changing geopolitical landscape, climate change, pandemics, and growing tensions. These challenges demand innovative solutions that tackle simultaneous threats to lives, livelihoods, and stability. In today’s complex world, cross-sector collaboration isn’t just important — it’s essential. No single sector or industry can address these global crises alone.

Comprehensive Security: Collaboration is Key

Comprehensive Security goes far beyond traditional concepts of safety. It’s about understanding that true security can only be achieved when we work together. By combining the strengths of the public sector, private innovation, NGOs and and academic expertise, we can develop resilient, sustainable solutions that enhance resilience and address emerging global challenges with efficiency and responsibility.

Building Networks, Policies, and Resilience at HNPW

The Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) is an ideal platform for driving impactful collaboration. Our participation allows us to:

  • Showcase Finland’s leadership in Comprehensive Security and real-world applications.
  • Share our innovative, unique approach to security with the global community.
  • Explore cross-sector partnerships, emphasizing the private sector’s crucial role in humanitarian efforts.
  • Contribute to policy discussions shaping the future of global resilience.
  • Learn from international experiences to deepen understanding and enhance contextualizing solutions.

Shaping a Resilient Future Together

The challenges of the future require joint action on an unprecedented scale. At HNPW, we are committed to co-creating solutions that address today’s issues while anticipating tomorrow’s needs. By joining forces with global stakeholders, we can build a safer, more secure, and more resilient world.

Join us on this journey of collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose to help shape a better future for all.

More information:

Jyri Wuorisalo, EU Climate Pact Ambassador and RDI Advisor, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, jyri.wuorisalo@savonia.fi