As part of RUSI’s Climate, Energy and Environmental Security Research Programme, we undertake research and host events focusing on the impact of the current climate emergency on the global security and defence realms. With expertise across a range of themes and geographies, our researchers are exploring both the existing and future challenges of global warming.
We focus on three areas.
Climate:Â assessing the impact of climate change specifically on conflict, security, resilience and geopolitics.
Energy and net zero:Â reviewing energy security challenges, as well as risks, threats and the geopolitics relating to the energy transition and net zero technologies.
Environment:Â looking at the risks resulting from localised environmental degradation and pollution as well as the risks to the environment and environmental law.
This research programme rests on the fundamental assumption that climate change is both an existential threat to humanity and a threat multiplier. The programme brings together stakeholders from across government, academia, the private sector and civil society to advance cross-sectoral dialogue and offer policy-relevant recommendations to decision-makers.
After the conclusion of COP27, four members of RUSI's Climate Steering Group discuss their thoughts about the conference, whether energy efficiencies can be made in the short to medium-term, and what they would like to see happen in the climate space in areas related to their research. (This conversation was recorded on Monday 21 November 2022.)
Programme themes
Our research programme is divided into three themes.
Environmental Crime and Climate Security
This theme focuses on the multifaceted relationship between climate change, environmental and human security, activism, and organised crime.
Energy Security
This theme focuses on the national, geopolitical and environmental security risks of fossil fuel reliance and solutions for securing clean energy globally.
Security Challenges in a Warming World
This theme explores the national security risks presented by climate change and equips the security and defence sectors with the knowledge to confront these challenges.
Our experts
Dan Marks
Research Fellow for Energy Security
Cyber
Mark Williams
Programme Manager | SHOC Network Member - Researcher
Organised Crime and Policing
Juliana Suess
Research Fellow, Space Security
Military Sciences
Dr Jessica White
Acting Director of Terrorism and Conflict Studies
Terrorism and Conflict
Claudia Wallner
Research Fellow
Christopher Hockey
Senior Research Fellow
RUSI Nairobi
Michael Jones
Research Fellow
Terrorism and Conflict
Kathryn Westmore
Senior Research Fellow
Centre for Finance and Security
Trevor Taylor
Professorial Research Fellow
Defence, Industries and Society
Associates
Dr James Henderson
Associate Fellow
RUSI International
Dr Aura Sabadus
Associate Fellow
