Climate Change and Foreign Policy

There is an increasing realization in the international community that achieving the consensus and commitment needed to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the next few decades, while preparing for unavoidable climatic impacts, requires positioning climate change in a broader foreign policy context. Addressing the climate change challenge requires new thinking in foreign policy—thinking that considers engagement on climate change not only in the sphere of environment, but also outside the environment box.

IISD is supporting the development of this approach by examining how climate change concerns can be more fully integrated into: diplomacy and international relations; energy security; peace and security; trade and investment; and development cooperation. Our work in this area began with an initial exploration of how climate change issues link to and could be more fully integrated into foreign policy. Outcomes of this research were captured in the publication Climate Change and Foreign Policy: An exploration of options for greater integration.

IISD's current phase of research focus on two issues:

Furthering EU Objectives on Climate Change and Clean Energy: Building partnerships with major developing economies
(PDF - 609 kb)
IISD has prepared this analysis of how the EU can further its stated objectives on climate change and clean energy by means of cooperation and engagement with the BICSAM (Brazil, India, China, South Africa and Mexico) nations.
Assessing the security implications of climate change for West Africa: Country case studies of Ghana and Burkina Faso
(PDF - 620 kb)
Our research in this area investigates the country level impacts of climate change on security in West Africa. The final report sets out scenarios for the future security implications of climate change as well as identifying particular 'flash point' issues that domestic authorities and external actors should bear in mind when designing development programs.

IISD's work related to Climate Change and Foreign Policy is supported by Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Publications

Climate Change and Foreign Policy: An exploration of options for greater integration (PDF - 655 kb)
This study examines opportunities for a broader framing of the climate change issue in a number of foreign policy areas of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark: diplomacy and international relations; energy security; peace and security; trade and investment; and development cooperation. It was co-authored by IISD's John Drexhage, Deborah Murphy, Oli Brown, Aaron Cosbey, Peter Dickey, Jo-Ellen Parry and John Van Ham; and Richard Tarasofsky and Beverley Darkin of Chatham House.

Key Publication