Key facts
- European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius called for environmental policy to be integrated into the EU's defence strategy.
- He stressed the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and security interests for Brussels.
European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius has called for a strategic integration of environmental policy within the European Union's broader defence strategy. Speaking to Euronews, Sinkevičius asserted that Brussels needs to "connect the dots" and recognize the inherent link between environmental, economic, and security interests.
The Commissioner's remarks highlight a growing perspective within the EU that environmental considerations are not separate from, but rather integral to, national and collective security. This viewpoint suggests that climate change impacts, resource scarcity, and ecological degradation can pose significant security risks, necessitating a coordinated approach that includes environmental policy in defence planning and strategic decision-making.