Is Climate Change the Hidden Danger Threatening Your Safety in the Euro-Mediterranean? Discover Shocking Truths!

A workshop hosted this week in Rome by the Med-Or Italian Foundation highlighted a critical evolution in how climate change is perceived within strategic and security contexts. The event showcased the presentation of the volume The Challenge of Environmental Security in the Euro-Mediterranean Region, published by Springer, with support from the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme. This publication stems from a research collaborative effort that began in 2024, involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV).

The workshop, held on April 29 at Med-Or’s headquarters, brought together institutional representatives, scientists, and industry leaders to discuss how environmental pressures are reshaping risk, governance, and stability across the Euro-Mediterranean region. The discussions underscored a significant shift in perspective: climate change is now recognized not merely as an environmental concern but as an integral part of security that encompasses economic resilience, social stability, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Opening the session, Andrea Manciulli, Director of Institutional Relations at Med-Or, emphasized the role of climate dynamics as a driver of instability, particularly highlighting the Sahel region. He pointed to Mali as a case study, illustrating how water scarcity and the erosion of pastoral livelihoods among Fulani communities have fostered conditions ripe for the emergence of jihadist narratives.

• Ettore Marchesini, Advisor and Programme Manager of the NATO SPS Programme, joined the conversation remotely, reinforcing NATO’s increasing focus on environmental security.
• Giovanni Fedele, First Secretary at the Permanent Representation of Italy to NATO, emphasized the strategic importance of incorporating climate considerations into transatlantic security frameworks.

The workshop included a panel discussion moderated by Tommaso Alberti of INGV, which explored the operational and technological aspects of climate-related risks. Speakers examined how climate change intersects with food security, energy systems, and crisis management:

• Enrico Casini, Director of Communications at Med-Or, described a widening security perimeter where climate change intersects with various sectors.
• Maria Fabrizia Buongiorno, Director of the Environment Department at INGV, discussed the role of Earth observation and integrated services in monitoring and mitigating environmental risks.
• Sandro Carniel, Research Director at the Institute of Polar Sciences of the National Research Council (CNR), addressed emerging threats in the Arctic.
• Marco Anzidei, Research Director at INGV’s National Earthquake Observatory, highlighted the exposure of critical infrastructure to sea-level rise, emphasizing its implications for ports, energy networks, and subsea connectivity.

These presentations collectively outlined a landscape in which environmental pressures significantly intersect with strategic geography and technological capabilities. The emphasis on data, satellite monitoring, and predictive tools reflects a growing convergence between environmental analysis and security planning.

The second panel, moderated by Emanuele Rossi, Senior Analyst at Decode39, focused on a "systemic" approach to national frameworks for addressing climate change. The discussion featured a cross-sectoral composition:

• Marzia Ravanelli, Director of Quality and Sustainability at BF S.p.A., spoke on agricultural and food security.
• Simone Nisi, Executive Vice President for Institutional Affairs, Regulatory and Climate Change at Edison, addressed the energy sector.
• Milena Lerario, Chief Executive Officer of e-GEOS, emphasized the significance of geospatial intelligence and satellite services.
• Luca Baione, Brigadier General of the Italian Air Force and former Permanent Representative of Italy to the World Meteorological Organization, provided a defense and institutional perspective.

The discussions reflected the systemic nature of climate-related risks, which span various sectors and link environmental degradation to economic vulnerability and social instability. This interdependence necessitates coordination among public institutions, private sector stakeholders, and the scientific community—an overarching theme throughout the workshop.

The involvement of NATO through the SPS Programme signaled an important recognition that environmental security has become a component of the strategic agenda for the world’s leading military alliance, shaping operational environments and long-term stability. The collaboration with Jordanian institutions, in conjunction with Italian research bodies, further highlighted the importance of partnerships across the Euro-Mediterranean region, where the impacts of climate change are particularly pronounced.

This workshop, and the publication it introduced, are integral parts of a broader initiative aimed at fostering a network of cooperation among institutions, research centers, and industry sectors. The overarching goal is to strengthen resilience and enhance crisis management capabilities in a landscape where environmental change is increasingly interwoven with geopolitical dynamics.

Ultimately, the message emerging from Rome was clear: climate change has evolved into a structural component of security analysis. Its influence extends into fragile regions, the resilience of infrastructure, and the stability of economic and social systems. Addressing these challenges requires an integrated framework that combines technological innovation, policy coordination, and international collaboration.