A CCASCOE delegation led by Director Mathieu Bussières and External Relations and Partnerships Officer Jennifer Bélanger completed a strategic mission to Brussels and Berlin from 21 to 23 October 2025, strengthening institutional cooperation and advancing the Centre’s engagement with key NATO and EU climate-security partners.
Brussels: High-Level Engagement at NATO Headquarters
At NATO Headquarters, the CCASCOE delegation met with Major General Richard Laurijssen, Director of Policy and Capabilities (P&C), alongside senior staff and representatives from the Canadian Joint Delegation to NATO.
Discussions emphasized P&C’s ongoing commitment to climate security analysis and cooperation with CCASCOE, including contributions to the NATO Climate Change Operational Concept. MGen Laurijssen stressed that, regardless of geopolitical origins, militaries must remain prepared for a rapidly evolving operational environment shaped by climate change. Anticipating and understanding climate impacts, he added, will remain essential for NATO readiness over the coming decades.
New Cooperation Arrangement with the European Security & Defence College
A major outcome of the Brussels visit was the signing of a Cooperation Arrangement between CCASCOE and the European Security & Defence College (ESDC).
The agreement will:
- enhance collaboration on climate-security training
- promote course exchanges between both institutions
- support joint curriculum development
- facilitate knowledge and tool sharing
- enable cooperation on events and communities of practice
This partnership strengthens the transatlantic climate-security ecosystem and aligns with CCASCOE’s mandate to serve as a knowledge hub for NATO Allies and partners.
Building Synergies with the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management
In Berlin, CCASCOE met with Director Johanna Sumuvuori and Senior Advisor Ida Eriksson from the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management. Discussions explored potential collaboration on:
- education and training for climate-security advisors
- sharing knowledge and best practices
- outreach and network-building efforts
- common challenges faced by young internationally sponsored Centres of Excellence
The Centre will introduce CCASCOE to its knowledge officer to continue the collaboration.
The visit to Brussels and Berlin marked an important step in expanding CCASCOE’s partnerships and enhancing coordination across the broader climate-security community, reinforcing the Centre’s role within NATO’s climate-security architecture.
