New Zealand says climate change is top security risk

Report says states could use assistance on climate change as a way to boost influence

New Zealand released a defence policy statement yesterday, calling climate change its greatest security threat and stressed the issue’s importance to the geostrategically contested Pacific region, which is seeing increased influence from China.

The assessment came on the heels of a defence policy earlier this year, that warned China’s rising influence in the South Pacific could undermine regional stability, drawing a complaint from the Asian giant. “It identifies climate change as one of the most significant security threats of our time, and one that is already having adverse impacts both at home and in New Zealand’s neighbourhood,” said Defence Minister Ron Mark in a statement.

Opportunity

The report said that states could look to use assistance on climate change as a way to boost their influence and access in the region.

“Working with Pacific Island countries on climate change, including in the security sphere, is an opportunity to learn lessons from each other while further strengthening strategic partnerships,” it said.