At the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in June 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada’s proposal to establish and host the new NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE).

As the world’s leading political and military Alliance, NATO has a clear role to play in addressing the security implications of climate change. Canada hopes that the CCASCOE will serve as a hub of expertise for relevant civilian and military decision makers and practitioners and will expand knowledge and increase our capacity to adapt to the changing climate. Through the cooperative efforts of its participants, the work of the CCASCOE will enhance the security of Canada, NATO Allies and partners, and people around the planet.

Canada and our international partners within and beyond the NATO Alliance recognize that climate change security impacts are experienced disproportionately by women and girls, Indigenous Peoples, and poor, marginalized and vulnerable populations across the globe. Canada and partners are therefore working to ensure that diverse perspectives, needs, and knowledge will be heard and reflected in the CCASCOE’s work.

Since 2021, Canada has been working in collaboration with NATO, our Allies, and other stakeholders to design and set up this Centre of Excellence. The CCASCOE will be located in Montreal, Quebec, and it is due to launch in fall 2023 at initial operating capacity.

Contact person and email:

CCASCOE Establishment Team: ccascoe@international.gc.ca

Further reading: NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence

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