Climate risk management in defence has become indispensable. Climate change is a threat to defence staff, infrastructures, and capabilities. It is also reshaping military missions and operations. Manifesting as severe weather and climate events, it changes operating conditions and amplifies security concerns, thereby affecting operational readiness and effectiveness. Moreover, it permeates supply chains and resource availability and disrupts critical infrastructure, which indirectly has major repercussions for the continuity and sustainability of the armed forces. Embracing climate risk management not only helps to prevent or reduce the potential for damage and loss, but also cultivates adaptability and resilience that ensure acceptable functionality, especially during crises.

This climate risk management guide prepared by the JRC in collaboration with EDA, supports Chiefs of Defence Staff in incorporating climate change considerations into their planning and budgeting processes. By bridging the gap between climate adaptation and risk management, they align their strategies with the European Union’s acknowledgement of the climate-security nexus, enabling them to navigate climate uncertainty effectively. The guide also includes a checklist to assist Chiefs of Defence Staff in assessing their organisation’s status in climate risk management. Using these insights at the national level strengthens the EU's ability to tackle climate challenges in defence, enhancing adaptability, energy resilience and autonomy.