The NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) and the Conference of Defence Associations Institute (CDA Institute) successfully co-hosted the 2024 edition of the Montreal Climate Security Summit (MCSS) on October 29–30, at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal. The high-level, event gathered more than 200 global leaders, policymakers, experts, and practitioners to address the growing security risks posed by climate change and to explore strategies for adaptation, mitigation, and resilience across the NATO Alliance and its partners, and beyond.
The side event celebrated the official accreditation of CCASCOE by NATO, granted on 28 May 2024, and served as a platform to highlight how climate change is increasingly shaping the Alliance’s security priorities.
Keynote Voices
The event featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:
- The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence of Canada
- Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Lieutenant-General Michael C. Wright, Commander of the Canadian Army
- General (Ret.) Tom Middendorp, former Chief of Defence of the Netherlands and Chair of the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS)
- The Hon. Sherri Goodman, Secretary General of the IMCCS and Senior Fellow at the Wilson Center
Their interventions underscored the urgency of integrating climate considerations into defence planning, operational readiness, and strategies to protect vulnerable populations.
Key Themes of the 2024 Summit
Across panels, roundtables, and keynote discussions, participants explored pressing themes, including:
- NATO’s Role in Climate Security -advancing the Alliance’s ability to respond to climate-driven threats.
- Operational Resilience -ensuring military forces remain ready and adaptable amid climate disruptions.
- Greening Defence -reducing the environmental footprint of Allied militaries while maintaining effectiveness.
- Climate and Human Security -addressing displacement, food and water access, health risks, and strengthening civil-military cooperation.
- Arctic Security -exploring climate-related risks and cooperation in one of the world’s most fragile and strategic regions.
- Strategic Foresight & Data -using data and scenario planning to anticipate and mitigate future security risks.
Strengthening Collaboration
The Montreal Climate Security Summit 2024 highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together defence leaders, diplomats, academics, and representatives of international organizations including NATO HQ, the European Union, and the United Nations.
By bridging defence, diplomacy, and civilian expertise, the summit advanced actionable recommendations for NATO’s ongoing climate agenda — focusing on awareness, adaptation, mitigation, and outreach.
Looking Ahead
The event demonstrated how climate change is no longer a peripheral concern but a defining factor in global and regional security. By convening leaders in Montreal, CCASCOE and the CDA Institute reinforced the need to transform military operations, strengthen preparedness, and foster resilience in an increasingly climate-impacted world.
The 2024 summit was livestreamed by CPAC, ensuring that the broader public could follow the conversations shaping the future of climate security.
