LITTLE GREEN BOOK ON CLIMATE CHANGE TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 Climate Change: Today‘s Challenge for Tomorrow’s Security
6 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia’s engagement in the field of climate change and security
8 Fostering political dialogue on climate change and security in the OSCE
12 Engaging in high-level discussions and fostering partnerships
14 Vision for the future: CLIMATE CHANGE: TODAY‘S CHALLENGE FOR TOMORROW’S SECURITY
Introduction by the 2023 OSCE Chairman-in-Office, H.E. Bujar Osmani
The effects of climate change are manifold and what’s even more concerning, have become increasingly ev- ident during recent times through extreme weather events, environmental degradation and overall rising temperatures. Acting as a threat-multiplier, its wide- spread impact threatens to influence the very stability and fabric of our societies, by altering overall living conditions for humankind. This may affect security and stability in the entire OSCE region in different ways, while potentially driving insecurity and conflict, as well triggering migration from most vulnerable re- gions. The OSCE offers great value as a platform to foster exchange between officials from participating States in trying to find overarching and collaborative solu- tions to tackle common threats effectively. To put an emphasis on this important issue with its broad security implications, climate change has been part of North Macedonia’s Chairpersonship priorities since the beginning of the year. By adopting the land- mark Ministerial Council Decision on “Strengthening co-operation to address the challenges caused by climate change” in 2021, the OSCE and its executive structures received a comprehensive mandate for its operational engagement in the entire Organization’s geographical area. In the same spirit, I have appointed the first ever CiO Special Representative on Climate Change, Mr. Nas- er Nuredini, demonstrating our strong commitment to this cause. There is still much more to be accom- plished: We need to make best use of the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security in seeking co-operative solutions to the complex challenges cre- ated by climate change; We need to find innovative ways to ensure an integrated, coherent and coordi- nated OSCE response to climate change; and If we are serious about addressing the climate crisis and its security implications, we need continuous dialogue, co-operation, partnerships, and resources. This work must keep the people in mind, because it is who we represent and for who we strife to make a real differ- ence on the ground. 2023 OSCE CHAIRPERSONSHIP OF NORTH MACEDONIA’S ENGAGEMENT IN THE FIELD OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SECURITY
Climate change poses profound challenges to soci- eties, economies, and the environment, manifesting in a spectrum of interconnected impacts globally and in the OSCE area. Climate-induced extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods and fires as well as slow-onset events are leading to food insecurity, heightened risks to health and critical in- frastructure, jeopardizing livelihoods and pushing people to move their homes. The vulnerable seg- ments of the society, including women and youth, are affected the most. Economically, the repercus- sions are vast, affecting sectors such as energy, ag- riculture, fisheries, and tourism. The environmen- tal consequences are equally severe, with rising global temperatures contributing to the melting of glaciers, sea-level rise, and disruptions in eco- systems. Biodiversity loss further exacerbates the ecological toll. All these multifaceted impacts have implications for security and stability as well and addressing them effectively requires a comprehen- sive approach that integrates social, economic, and environmental considerations, fostering resilience, sustainability, prosperity, security and stability in the face of an evolving climate landscape. The 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Mace- donia, as part of its motto “It’s about people”, in- cluded climate change as one of its priorities and worked throughout the year to raise further aware- ness about the consequences of climate change on security.
ADVANCING IN INTEGRATING CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS IN THE OSCE
In 2023, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office appointed the first OSCE Special Representative on Climate Change, Mr. Naser Nuredini.
“Aware of today’s burning challenges, but also in support of our commitment to their mitigation, as OSCE Chairman-in-Office, I have appointed a Spe- cial Representative on Climate Change to raise fur- ther awareness, offer ideas and potential solutions, while making the role and relevance of the OSCE visible. I believe I can count on your support for this novel and innovative position”, said the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani in his address at the 2023 Prague Forum on the Economic and En- vironmental Dimension of the OSCE. FOSTERING POLITICAL DIALOGUE ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND SECURITY IN THE OSCE
In 2023, the OSCE Chairpersonship of North Mace- donia further strengthened the political dialogue on climate change and security by including the topic on the agenda of several events. Hosted by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani, the 2023 Struga Conference on the Economic and Environmental Dimension of the OSCE in Struga, North Macedonia, on 13 and 14 June underscored a dedicated focus on climate change. The session “Strengthening co-operation to address challeng- es caused by climate change, which may neg- atively affect stability and security in the OSCE area triggered in-depth discussions on the follow- ing topics: ` Stepping up co-operation and partnerships for climate action to strengthen security, stability, resilience and prosperity; ` Promoting integrated approaches to tackling climate change and enhancing nature conser- vation; ` Strengthening early warning and prevention capacities to tackle climate-related risks; ` Promoting regional and cross-regional co-op- eration to address shared climate-related chal- lenges through joint action
“OSCE as a regional security organization already plays an important role in raising awareness on potential climate related security risks, in capaci- ty building and in assessing and addressing these risks in a participatory manner with the engage- ment of all relevant stakeholders. This regional and participatory approach contributes to enhanced regional cooperation around the topic of climate change”, said Minister of Environment and Physical Planning of North Macedonia Kaja Shukova in the opening session of the Forum. Climate change was also in the spotlight of the 2023 Prague Forum on the Economic and Envi- ronmental Dimension of the OSCE. “Climate change is by far the most pressing chal- lenge of today and tomorrow” stated the OSCE Chairman-in-Office at the opening of the Forum. The Forum included a session on “Intensifying co-operation to combat climate change for sus- tainable and climate-resilient development” prominent speakers exchanged views on the fol- lowing topics: ` Regional responses to tackling climate-relat- ed challenges ` Early warning and strategic foresight to fos- ter preventive and risk-informed policy-mak- ing in a changing climate ` Fostering holistic climate action: Mainstream- ing climate change into policy strategies, and institutional frameworks ` Regional co-operation for preparedness and response to climate-related hazards ENGAGING IN HIGH-LEVEL DISCUSSIONS AND FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS
On 7 July 2023, the OSCE Secretary General Hel- ga Maria Schmid hosted the OSCE High-Level Conference on Climate Change in Vienna, which brought together Ministers, Climate Envoys and other high-level political actors from the OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation along with representatives of international organi- zations and civil society, climate security experts and practitioners to discuss the wide-array chal- lenges caused by climate change, taking stock of the OSCE’s accomplishments in tackling these challenges and generating ideas for further action.
“ Given the OSCE’s focus on comprehensive security, it is especially worth noting that these factors are important drivers of insecurity and conflict, as well as potential triggers for migration from most vul- nerable regions. It is indeed a vicious circle and we must strive towards a holistic approach to find the way out. North Macedonia, through its people-ori- ented approach and commitment to human securi- ty, stands ready to steer initiatives aimed at helping people face the challenges of today and tomorrow,” said the OSCE Chairman-in- Office Bujar Osmani at the High-Level Conference on Climate Change. “ The first ever OSCE High-Level Conference on Climate Change, which occurred earlier this year, is yet another testament of the relevance and the added value the OSCE could bring in this area. Therefore, the OSCE must stay engaged.” said the OSCE Chairman-in- Office later on at 2023 Prague Forum.
Re-capping on climate change as one of the priorities of the programme of the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia and build- ing on the political dialogue on climate change throughout the year, the 2023 OSCE Chairper- sonship of North Macedonia organized a dedi- cated side event on climate change at the 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje on 30th No- vember. The side event provided an opportunity to reflect on the interlinkages between climate change and security in the OSCE area and how to carry this focus further to tackle climate-re- lated risks through the Organization’s work in upcoming years. VISION FOR THE FUTURE:
` Continue to make best use of the OSCE’s com- prehensive approach to security in seeking co-operative solutions to address the complex challenges created by climate change;
` Use innovative ways to ensure an integrated, coherent and co-ordinated OSCE response to climate change;
` Continue to enhance OSCE’s essential role as a platform for dialogue, co-operation, partner- ships, and resources to address the security implications of climate-related challenges in the OSCE area;
` Build on OSCE’s wide regional coverage and make best use of the OSCE Field Operations in promoting regional co-operation for joint activ- ities on the ground in identifying and address- ing multiple risks and challenges caused by cli- mate change;
` Continue to foster inclusive approaches to en- sure the engagement of women and youth in climate action.