Lawmakers from both the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Green Party are raising concerns about escalating security risks linked to the consequences of global warming and are advocating for its comprehensive consideration within the newly established National Security Council (NSC).
CDU Member of Parliament Roderich Kiesewetter cautioned against dismissing climate change as solely an environmental issue. He emphasized that it acts as an accelerant for existing conflicts and a significant driver of migration, necessitating specialized expertise on climate change within the NSC.
Green Party parliamentary group deputy Konstantin von Notz accused the federal government of failing to fully grasp the scale of the crisis presented by global warming. He highlighted that the phenomenon poses a substantial threat, not only to natural resources, prosperity and public health, but also directly to national security. Von Notz referenced an assessment from the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), which categorizes the ramifications of global warming as a risk to German security. He insisted this understanding must be integrated into the nation’s security infrastructure, including the NSC.
Climate economist and president of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Ottmar Edenhofer, echoed these sentiments. He urged Germany to recognize the geopolitical implications of the situation, asserting that climate change is a major security policy concern. He supported the inclusion of a climate expert within the NSC to address these complex risks.
