Civilian Expertise for Climate Security Debates at the BCSC
Under the theme “A climate for security, freedom and prosperity,” the 8th Berlin Climate Security Conference (BCSC 2026) took place. As in previous years, the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF) joined as a conference partner. Expert discussions and side events focused on the complex connections between climate change, armed conflict, and the requirements for effective civilian crisis management.
Concrete Actionable Approaches Instead of Mere Intentions
The opening of the conference was marked by a clear call: "Our security also depends on the climate" - climate change and environmental degradation must not be treated as side events to traditional security policy, but form key factors influencing global stability. Organized by adelphi, the German Federal Foreign Office, and Climate Diplomacy, BCSC 2026 brought together international experts from politics, science, and practice to translate scientific evidence into policy and operational measures.
Lake Chad Region: Climate Change and Non-State Armed Groups
On the opening day, ZIF co-hosted a confidential expert workshop alongside the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (CoE), the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) Finland, and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA). Focus was laid on the Lake Chad region and how non-state armed groups exploit the consequences of climate change for their own ends. Participants discussed tailored adaptation strategies and the further development of civilian crisis prevention tools on the ground. The findings from this session will feed into an upcoming report.
Evidence-Based Policy Making in Transboundary Crisis Regions
ZIF co-hosted another high-level panel with XCEPT at the British Embassy in Berlin. Moderated by Dr. Tobias Ide, panel members Dr. Cedric de Coning (NUPI), Naji Abou-Khalil (Prosper Global), Nazanine Moshiri (Berghof Foundation), and ZIF-seconded expert Patrizia Albrecht (OSCE) addressed the central question of how scientific evidence from transboundary crisis contexts can be translated into peacebuilding policy and practice.
Exchange with Seconded Experts
A key highlight of the conference was the direct exchange with ZIF-seconded experts deployed worldwide in the field of climate security who traveled to Berlin for the BCSC. Their practical field insights provide invaluable momentum for the ongoing development of ZIF activities. To address challenges at the intersection of climate, peace, and security with targeted civilian expertise, ZIF will continue its commitment to climate security. The approaches developed at BCSC 2026 will directly feed into ongoing analytical work as well as the preparation and advisory support for civilian personnel in international peace operations. ZIF will maintain close dialogue with its national and international partners to further refine civilian action options in the context of climate-related security risks.