Source: India’s military must prepare for climate change, The Indian Express, April 11, 2025
In February 2025, India witnessed its first winter heatwave, revealing the urgent need to treat climate change as a national security threat rather than just an environmental concern. With rising global temperatures and increasing extreme weather events, India must integrate climate adaptation into its military and policy strategies to safeguard stability and security.
Rising Temperatures and Emerging Threats
- Historic Heatwave in Winter: In February 2025, Goa and Maharashtra experienced India’s first recorded winter heatwave, making it the hottest February in 125 years — a signal of intensifying climate instability.
- Beyond the 1.5°C Goal: Global temperatures are projected to rise between 2.4°C and 3°C, exceeding the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting warming to 1.5°C, with severe consequences for vulnerable countries like India.
- Imbalanced Climate Response: While mitigation efforts like renewable energy and efficient transport have received significant focus, adaptation — which addresses existing and emerging climate risks — gets only 5% of global climate funding.
The Urgent Need for Adaptation
- Adaptation as a Necessity: Infrastructure like flood barriers, early warning systems, and climate-resilient agriculture are no longer optional but critical to withstand recurrent climate shocks.
- Global Risk Rankings: The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Risks Report identifies extreme weather as the leading medium-term threat to people and businesses globally.
- India’s High Exposure: As per HSBC, India is among the nations most vulnerable to climate-induced disruptions, reinforcing the need for immediate adaptation investments.
Climate Change As A National Security Issue
- Expanded Security Lens: Traditionally viewed through environmental or economic angles, climate change now presents direct threats to national security and military readiness.
- Unpredictable Operating Environments: Military strength relies on environmental stability; rising unpredictability can disrupt operations, training, and infrastructure maintenance.
- Dual Nature of Climate Risks:
- Acute Risks: Sudden events like hurricanes and heatwaves can devastate military infrastructure, hinder personnel efficiency, and compromise equipment functionality.
- Chronic Risks: Long-term issues such as crop failures, water disputes, and climate-induced migration can trigger internal unrest and cross-border tensions.
Integrating Climate Resilience Into Defence Strategy
- Adaptation in Defence Planning: India must embed climate considerations in military operations, as seen in the US Department of Defence’s 2024–2027 Climate Adaptation Plan. This includes climate-risk audits and infrastructure upgrades.
- Institutional Climate Capability: Creating specialised military units, such as climate-focused weather squadrons, can provide timely environmental intelligence. Climate scenarios should also be integrated into war games and military drills.
- Strengthening Global Partnerships: India should actively advocate for increased global climate finance, enhanced technology-sharing mechanisms, and regional cooperation in disaster management.