The world is grappling with rising geopolitical tension and the accelerating climate crisis while also faced with extreme weather, volatile energy systems, and the urgent need to cut emissions. Too often, these agendas are treated as competition: defence on one side, climate on the other. That division is outdated and dangerous. Climate resilience is national security, says Kädi Ristkok, Executive Director of Cleantech for Baltics and Cleantech Estonia.
Military strategists already call climate change a “threat multiplier.” Rising seas, floods, and heatwaves weaken infrastructure and make societies more vulnerable. Grid failures don’t just darken homes; they undercut readiness. Energy dependence doesn’t just raise prices; it gives leverage to hostile powers. Russia’s war in Ukraine showed how energy systems can be both target and weapon.
“The technologies that make Europe more resilient to climate disruption also strengthen security. Microgrids keep bases and hospitals running when central power fails. Clean fuels and electric fleets reduce the risks of long supply chains.”
Kädi Ristkok, Executive Director of Cleantech Estonia
The human toll is equally clear. Last year, disasters displaced 7.7 million people worldwide. By 2050, up to 216 million could be forced to migrate within their own countries because of climate impacts. Even wealthy nations are not immune. In 2022, more than 3 million Americans were displaced by hurricanes, floods, or fires, and over half a million had not returned home months later.
Europe’s clean technologies serve as crucial strategic assets
When climate forces people from their homes, it stresses housing, infrastructure, and social systems. Conflict, migration, and climate disruption are reshaping security landscapes. Overlooking the connection between climate and security would be a grave mistake—whether in Europe or the U.S., where grid failures and post-disaster rebuilds show how climate shocks destabilize communities.
The technologies that make Europe more resilient to climate disruption also strengthen security. Microgrids keep bases and hospitals running when central power fails. Clean fuels and electric fleets reduce the risks of long supply chains. Low-carbon construction, from modular housing to mycelium-based insulation, enables faster, cleaner rebuilding in disaster recovery or rebuilding zones. Together, these technologies buffer both climate shocks and security threats.
“Estonia, for example, has become a sandbox — testing microgrids, clean fuels, and resilient construction in real-world defence contexts.”
Kädi Ristkok, Executive Director of Cleantech Estonia
Estonia has already mapped the environmental footprint of its defence and interior ministries, tracking electricity, fuel, heating, and water usage — an early step toward reducing emissions without compromising readiness, and proof that even small states can move quickly.
Dual-use innovation is another opportunity. Defence procurement has scale, urgency, and discipline — qualities that accelerate commercialization of clean technologies. The Baltics are exploring joint procurement standards and shared R&D programs that combine defence and climate objectives. Estonia, for example, has become a sandbox — testing microgrids, clean fuels, and resilient construction in real-world defence contexts. Europe needs to move from isolated pilots like these to an integrated strategy. The relevance is obvious: technologies proven in Estonia could harden countries’ bases, shorten supply chains, and speed disaster recovery.
Climate objectives in procurement processes
The stakes are global as well as regional. Europe is already paying the price of high energy costs and reliance on imported materials. The only lasting way to cut costs and strengthen security is to accelerate the green transition: build renewables, expand storage, and scale alternative fuels. If Europe fails to secure supply chains for batteries, hydrogen, synthetic fuels, or clean steel, it risks replacing one dependency with another — swapping imported oil and gas for imported clean tech.
“Defence ministries should integrate climate targets into procurement so every investment strengthens resilience.”
Kädi Ristkok, Executive Director of Cleantech Estonia
What to do is no mystery. Defence ministries should integrate climate targets into procurement so every investment strengthens resilience. EU and NATO members should pool resources for joint R&D and procurement, allowing smaller states access to cutting-edge technologies at scale. Supply chains for clean hydrogen, batteries, and synthetic fuels should be treated as strategic assets, not just market products.
The idea that defence and climate are rivals belongs to another era. Climate change is redrawing the security map in real time. NATO, the EU, and national governments have a rare chance to align two urgent agendas and turn vulnerabilities into strengths. If they succeed, the rewards will be profound: stronger deterrence, more resilient societies, and leadership in the technologies that will define the next century. Defence and climate are not competing priorities. They are mutually reinforcing — and Europe cannot afford to treat them otherwise.
This content is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU
Are you interested in trading with Estonia? Enterprise Estonia is providing sourcing services for foreign enterprises. Contact Estonian export advisors or use our free e-consulting service to start trade with Estonia.
