22.4.2026

Security and sustainability transformation are best advanced together

News
Climate change, biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems are emerging as key security threats that directly affect Finland’s overall security. Environmental decline increases risks to food production, the economy and societal stability – which is why the environment must be placed at the heart of security thinking and decision-making.
Paula Kivimaa
Paula Kivimaa. © Kai Widell

Climate change, biodiversity loss and the crossing of tipping points in the Earth System are among the most serious security risks in the coming decades.

In this era of acute geopolitical crises, it is important to remember that comprehensive security is founded on a good state of the environment. The deteriotating of the environment is usually a result of industrial activity and increasing environmental pressures, but it may also worsen due to warfare. Postponing measures that promote the sustainability transformation and environmental protection increases the risk of environment-related security crises.

Biodiverse nature, clean water and air, and climate change mitigation are prerequisites for a secure life. Both the gradual degradation of the environment and more sudden environmental crises threaten the availability of food and clean water, as well as people’s psychological resilience. Reduced access to natural resources weakens economic security and increases the risk of conflicts both in Finland and globally.

For this reason, the environment and nature must be firmly integrated into Finland’s comprehensive security model. We at Syke have prepared a Policy Brief highlighting the links between the environment and security, combining our wide expertise. In the Policy Brief, we explain how the environment is reflected in every component of the comprehensive security model. Taking the environment into account requires the development of expertise and concrete actions, some of which we have already proposed in our publication. Crucially, security threats arising from environmental crises should be addressed through policy measures that promote sustainability transformations.

Security is not only about countering threats; it is also about building wellbeing and resilience to crises. A healthy environment supports all vital societal functions, people’s wellbeing and the stability of everyday life.

Research professor Paula Kivimaa, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke)

 

Published 22.4.2026 / Updated 23.4.2026