International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS)

A growing number of militaries and national security communities around the world are concerned about a changing climate – including the very real risks it poses to global stability, conflict and military missions. The IMCCS is an international network of these individuals that seeks to anticipate, analyse, and address the security risks of climate change.

About IMCCS

The International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS) is a group of senior military leaders, security experts, and security institutions across the globe dedicated to anticipating, analysing, and addressing the security risks of a changing climate.

The creation of the IMCCS was announced at The Hague, Netherlands, on February 19, 2019 in response to a growing demand from military professionals for sharing information and best practices on addressing the security and military dimensions of climate change.

Our Partners

The IMCCS was founded and is administered by the Center for Climate and Security (CCS), an institute of the Council on Strategic Risks, in partnership with the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS), the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) and the Planetary Security Initiative of the Netherlands Institute of International Relations (Clingendael).

HCSS Special Strategic Advisor Tom Middendorp is the chair of the International Military Council on Climate and Security and HCSS Deputy Director Michel Rademaker is a senior member of the Executive Committee.

IMCCS Publications

The IMCCS Expert Group publishes an annual or biennial World Climate and Security Report – a global assessment of the security risks of a changing climate and recommendations for addressing them – as well as shorter briefers on key topics of interest.

Climate change is driving unprecedented risks to the geostrategic landscape of the 21st century.

Militaries have a responsibility to help prevent and prepare for these risks.

– The Expert Group of the International Military Council on Climate and Security

A Growing Crisis

The Launch of the World Climate and Security Report 2021

General (Ret) Tom Middendorp discusses the “World Climate and Security Report 2020,” authored by the Expert Group of the IMCCS, at the main stage of the Munich Security Conference, February 15, 2020.

General (Ret) Tom Middendorp announces the “World Climate and Security Report 2020,” authored by the Expert Group of the IMCCS, at the opening “Hashtag Event” of the Munich Security Conference, February 13, 2020.

IMCCS launch

Our Experts

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