Issue of climate change and security makes the agenda for "Folk och Försvar"

"Folk och Försvar" is an annual national conference that serves as a forum for discussions on Swedish security politics, national defence and societal security.  For the first time in its 30 year history, the issue of climate change was designated its own session, marking its increasing importance.

(Image removed) Photo: Ulf Palm

Mikael Granberg, CNDS researcher and the Director of CCS (Centre for Climate and Safety), together with  Malin Mobjörk from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) contributed to the session "Climate change - society and security politics." 

"Climate change has been acknowledges as a threat to national security in Sweden and it is actually stated in the country's security strategy that "in no other area is there a greater need for more preventative efforts," asserts Mikael Granberg. "Therefore, the fact that we were invited to speak at the national conference is witness to the increasing significance of this issue."

Every year more than 350 delegates and 50-60 speakers convene at this prestigous 3-day conference in order to discuss and debate the nation's most pressing security issues and upcoming trends. Attendance is strictly by invitation only.

Challenges in implementing preventative efforts in order to tackle climate risks 
There are many factors that influence when and how societies work in dealing with climate risks. For example, the degree of uncertainty regarding potential effects makes it difficult to motivate current political decisions that are aimed at mitigating future damages and negative consequences. There is also uncertainty between society's different actors about who bears the responsibility and who has the mandate to act and to what degree.

"Politics is one very central aspect since it can be an obstacle to a well-formulated climate policy," says Mikael Granberg. "Politics refers primarily to the political values that shape understanding and the formulation of the climate challenges into policies. In turn, politics governs the prioritization of climate risks and climate adaptation measures, which have effects on vulnerabilities and security."

See the YouTube video clip here. Please note that the conference proceedings were held in Swedish.