Climate, Peace and Security: Shrinking the Gap between Africa and Europe

This brief examines the different ways in which the African Union and the European Union approach the climate, peace and security nexus. While both recognise climate change as a major driver of instability, the AU tends to frame it through human security, sustainable development and community resilience, whereas the EU increasingly views it through the lenses of defence, border management and geopolitical security.

It highlights how African institutions have long addressed the security implications of environmental change through regional cooperation, local conflict-resolution mechanisms and shared resource management. By contrast, the EU’s approach has gradually shifted from environmental diplomacy towards a more securitised model focused on military preparedness, energy independence, migration and external stability. The article warns that an excessive emphasis on security risks overlooking the underlying causes of climate-related conflict, including poverty, fragile livelihoods and unequal access to resources.

Key recommendations include strengthening AU-EU cooperation on early-warning systems, climate-risk analysis and preventive action, while redirecting greater support towards civilian-led resource governance and locally driven adaptation. The commentary argues that a more balanced partnership should combine European technical and financial capabilities with the AU’s human-centred approach, placing sustainable development, local ownership and long-term resilience at the heart of climate-security cooperation.