{"id":90752,"date":"2024-02-01T16:01:07","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T21:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/?post_type=cu_story&#038;p=90752"},"modified":"2025-08-19T09:37:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T13:37:04","slug":"nato-ccascoe-montreal-canadian-security","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/story\/nato-ccascoe-montreal-canadian-security\/","title":{"rendered":"NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence to open in Montr\u00e9al: What does it mean for Canadian security?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-max  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n                    \n                    \n            \n    <div class=\"cu-wideimage relative flex items-center justify-center mx-auto px-8 overflow-hidden md:px-16 rounded-xl not-prose  my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 bg-opacity-50 bg-cover bg-cu-black-50 pt-24 pb-32 md:pt-28 md:pb-44 lg:pt-36 lg:pb-60 xl:pt-48 xl:pb-72\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/nato-canada-flag-1200x900-1.jpg); background-position: 50% 50%;\">\n\n                    <div class=\"absolute top-0 w-full h-screen\" style=\"background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.600);\"><\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"relative z-[2] max-w-4xl w-full flex flex-col items-center gap-2 cu-wideimage-image cu-zero-first-last\">\n            <header class=\"mx-auto mb-6 text-center text-white cu-pageheader cu-component-updated cu-pageheader--center md:mb-12\">\n\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold mb-2 text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] cu-pageheader--center text-center mx-auto after:left-px\">\n                        NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence to open in Montr\u00e9al: What does it mean for Canadian security?\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                            <\/header>\n        <\/div>\n\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"absolute bottom-0 w-full z-[1]\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 1280 312\">\n                <path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M26.412 315.608c-.602-.268-6.655-2.412-13.524-4.769a1943.84 1943.84 0 0 1-14.682-5.144l-2.276-.858v-5.358c0-4.876.086-5.358.773-5.09 1.674.643 21.38 5.84 34.646 9.109 14.682 3.59 28.935 6.858 45.936 10.449l9.874 2.089H57.322c-16.4 0-30.31-.16-30.91-.428ZM460.019 315.233c42.974-10.074 75.602-19.88 132.443-39.867 76.16-26.791 152.063-57.709 222.385-90.663 16.7-7.823 21.336-10.074 44.262-21.273 85.004-41.688 134.719-64.193 195.291-88.413 66.55-26.577 145.2-53.584 194.27-66.765C1258.5 5.626 1281.34 0 1282.24 0c.17 0 .34 27.596.34 61.3v61.299l-2.23.375c-84.7 13.718-165.93 35.955-310.736 84.931-46.494 15.753-65.427 22.076-96.166 32.15-9.102 3-24.814 8.198-34.989 11.574-107.543 35.954-153.008 50.422-196.626 62.639l-6.74 1.876-89.126-.054c-78.135-.054-88.782-.161-85.948-.857ZM729.628 312.875c33.229-10.985 69.248-23.523 127.506-44.207 118.705-42.223 164.596-57.709 217.446-73.302 2.62-.75 8.29-2.465 12.67-3.751 56.19-16.772 126.94-33.597 184.17-43.671 5.07-.91 9.66-1.768 10.22-1.875l.94-.161v170.236l-281.28-.054H719.968l9.66-3.215ZM246.864 313.411c-65.041-2.251-143.047-12.11-208.432-26.256-18.375-3.965-41.73-9.538-42.202-10.074-.171-.214-.257-21.38-.214-47.046l.129-46.618 6.654 3.697c57.313 32.043 118.491 56.531 197.699 79.143 40.313 11.521 83.459 18.058 138.669 21.059 15.584.857 65.685.857 81.14 0 33.744-1.876 61.306-4.93 88.396-9.806 6.396-1.126 11.634-1.983 11.722-1.929.255.375-20.48 7.769-30.999 11.038-28.592 8.948-59.288 15.646-91.873 20.147-26.36 3.59-50.015 5.627-78.35 6.698-15.584.59-55.209.59-72.339-.053Z\"><\/path>\n                <path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M-3.066 295.067 32.06 304.1v9.033H-3.066v-18.066Z\"><\/path>\n            <\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n\n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<p>This article is <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nato-climate-change-and-security-centre-of-excellence-to-open-in-montreal-what-does-it-mean-for-canadian-security-219447\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">republished<\/a> from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. All photos provided by <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Conversation<\/a> from various sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/ryan-atkinson-1459529\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Atkinson<\/a> is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Carleton University where his research focuses on defence policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100px; border: none; position: relative; z-index: 1;\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/narrations.ad-auris.com\/widget\/the-conversation-canada\/nato-climate-change-and-security-centre-of-excellence-to-open-in-montreal-what-does-it-mean-for-canadian-security\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This year Montr\u00e9al is set to become the home for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.international.gc.ca\/world-monde\/international_relations-relations_internationales\/nato-otan\/centre-excellence.aspx?lang=eng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">North Atlantic Treaty Organization&#8217;s new Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE)<\/a>. The CCASCOE, as the name would suggest, is set to provide specific expertise on the environment and the impacts of climate change for NATO security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When announcing the new centre, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared it will &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pm.gc.ca\/en\/news\/news-releases\/2023\/07\/12\/prime-minister-announces-additional-measures-support-ukraine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">enable Canada, NATO allies, and other global partners to understand and address the serious security implications of climate change, including in the Arctic &#8230;[and]&#8230; it will contribute to Montr\u00e9al&#8217;s status as a global hub for international organizations.&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nato.int\/cps\/en\/natohq\/topics_68372.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NATO centres of excellence (COE) system<\/a> provides a valuable network of expertise to support innovation, and to &#8220;assist in doctrine development, identify lessons learned, improve interoperability and capabilities, and test and validate concepts through experimentation.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amid escalating geopolitical risks, Montr\u00e9al&#8217;s new centre represents a strong commitment to climate security and will be crucial to promoting a co-ordinated global response that strengthens Canada&#8217;s capacity to address climate-specific concerns. As the federal government set out in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.international.gc.ca\/world-monde\/international_relations-relations_internationales\/nato-otan\/centre-excellence.aspx?lang=eng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">recent statement<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Climate impacts may test the resilience of military installations and equipment, create harsher or more complex operational conditions, and change the nature of the strategic environment, which poses unique challenges for military and security entities charged with maintaining our security.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The new centre is specifically designed to address these evolving concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"climate-security-collaboration\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Climate security collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In June 2021, the Canadian government proposed hosting the CCASCOE at a NATO Summit in Brussels. A year later it announced Montr\u00e9al as the planned host city, with Canada providing $40.4 million in &#8220;direct support&#8221; for CCASCOE as host nation over five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The CCASCOE&#8217;s founding document governs &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.act.nato.int\/about\/centres-of-excellence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the relationship between participating countries and the Centre of Excellence<\/a>&#8221; and was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.international.gc.ca\/world-monde\/international_relations-relations_internationales\/nato-otan\/centre-excellence.aspx?lang=eng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">signed by Canada and 11 sponsoring nations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NATO&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nato.int\/cps\/en\/natohq\/topics_68372.htm#:%7E:text=The%20overall%20responsibility%20for%20COE,CAN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Allied Command Transformation ACT<\/a> is responsible for establishing, accrediting and preparing the centres of excellence in co-ordination with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The centres of excellence network provides a global array of expertise and practices that can benefit the development of the CCASCOE and facilitate information-sharing to climate change-related security capabilities. That ranges from the development of climate-related rapid response exercises to environmental disasters and other related engagements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NATO has a long history of co-operation on doctrine development, which could serve as a valuable template for CCASCOE activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) <a href=\"https:\/\/ccdcoe.org\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">in Tallinn, Estonia, provides<\/a> &#8220;interdisciplinary expertise&#8221; through joint initiatives that include research, training and exercises. Meanwhile, the <a href=\"https:\/\/ccdcoe.org\/exercises\/crossed-swords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Crossed Swords<\/a> exercise simulates adversaries&#8217; perspectives to identify NATO&#8217;s own strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/ccdcoe.org\/exercises\/locked-shields\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Locked Shields<\/a> is a team exercise focused on &#8220;realistic scenarios, cutting-edge technologies and simulating the entire complexity of a massive cyber incident.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These existing exercises could offer the CCASCOE a helpful framework to structure engagements supported by the existing centres of excellence network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another area where CCASCOE can lead innovation is through the hosting of exercises to train disaster-response capabilities for climate security challenges. An annual flagship exercise or a series of shorter practical workshops could support this leadership and help NATO members combat climate security challenges, build capacity and enhance public awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"developing-strategies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Developing strategies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>ACT&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.act.nato.int\/article\/act-enhances-natos-understanding-of-climate-change\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Strategic Foresight Analysis 2023 report<\/a> will update NATO&#8217;s understanding of the security implications of climate change to the alliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.act.nato.int\/article\/sfa-topics-climate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">update will highlight<\/a> the importance of international co-operation to mitigate climate change, given that &#8220;strategic competitors may exploit disruptive changes, undermining alliances through false narratives and weaponizing critical technologies.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the Vilnius summit in June 2023, NATO released a series of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nato.int\/cps\/en\/natohq\/news_217212.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">climate strategy reports<\/a>, including a climate security assessment, a collection of best practices and guidelines to measure greenhouse gas emissions for civilian and military infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These initiatives emphasized the required civilian and military collaboration on climate security challenges \u2014 co-ordination that Canada and the CCASCOE are ideally placed to support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"melting-arctic-rising-tensions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Melting Arctic, rising tensions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This development occurs amid rising tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Arctic is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-023-38511-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">predicted to experience the first September free of sea ice in history as early as the 2030s-2050s irrespective of emission scenarios<\/a>. As a result, the Arctic will increasingly become more active and see increased demand for resource access, shipping routes and territorial claims. The increased activity and strategic significance placed on the Arctic will heighten geopolitical risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, in August 2023, Russia&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/thebarentsobserver.com\/en\/security\/2023\/04\/fsb-signs-maritime-security-cooperation-china-murmansk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FSB Border Guard Service and China&#8217;s Coast Guard were reported<\/a> to have increased co-operation in the northern port of Murmansk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcinet.ca\/eye-on-the-arctic\/2023\/06\/19\/russian-vtb-bank-to-finance-the-construction-of-icebreakers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Russia<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcinet.ca\/eye-on-the-arctic\/2023\/06\/28\/third-chinese-polar-icebreaker-will-carry-deep-sea-submersibles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">China<\/a> have also invested in ice-breakers designed to increase a regional presence in the north.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These moves present serious challenges to the NATO alliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>High on the agenda at this summer&#8217;s annual NATO summit will no doubt be the development of a co-ordinated approach to support climate security innovation. And in this regard, Canada \u2014 and the CCASCOE \u2014 will likely play an active role in developing this new strategic agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>__<br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/\">Carleton Newsroom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/219447\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This year Montr\u00e9al is set to become the home for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization\u2019s new Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE). The CCASCOE, as the name would suggest, is set to provide specific expertise on the environment and the impacts of climate change for NATO security.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":410,"featured_media":90768,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_story_type":[1623],"cu_story_tag":[],"class_list":["post-90752","cu_story","type-cu_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","cu_story_type-expert-perspectives"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":"blueprint"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/90752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/cu_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/410"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/90752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":90772,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/90752\/revisions\/90772"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/90768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=90752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_story_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_type?post=90752"},{"taxonomy":"cu_story_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_tag?post=90752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}