The Environmental Security Research Group is a forum for collaboration between the security community and scholars working on issues of environmental security from multiple perspectives across different disciplines. It focuses, in particular, on supporting and developing educational, research and policy-related projects and activities on two key themes:
- The planetary, international, national and human security repercussions of climate change and biocapacity loss;
- The opportunities, challenges and limitations for security forces to help governments and societies manage, mitigate and adapt to these repercussions.
In bringing scholarly and practitioner expertise together on these issues, the research group aims to support security sector reform efforts to create sustainable, rule-of-law based security assistance for the proliferating environmental crises facing the world.
Activities
- Sharing and generating timely content and insights on current threats and innovations, to aid members of security forces, from senior policymakers through to entry-level officials;
- Supporting high quality, collaborative research projects and publications with academic and policy impact;
- Developing multi-disciplinary and evidence-based educational programmes, both within the higher education and security sectors;
- Enhancing the reach and impact of current Kings College London research around the theme of environmental security.
Membership
Associate membership is open to anyone engaged in ongoing research that is relevant to the group, or who has an interest in the group's focus of research.
To apply for associate membership please complete the application form.
People
Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
Lecturer in Engineering
Senior Lecturer in National Security Studies
Senior Lecturer
Senior Visiting Research Fellow in War Studies
Projects
Ongoing Projects
Members of the group, either individually or in collaboration with partners, are working on a wide variety of research projects, on subjects including: environmental communications; climate resilience in small states; human migration dynamics; and military sustainability.
GAMEngage: Gamification for stakeholder engagement
The GAMEngage study, funded by Circle U and conducted in collaboration with partners from King’s Business School, Aarhus University, and the University of Vienna, explores how interactive roleplaying games impact people's knowledge and beliefs about climate security and sustainability. The research involves participants from various sectors (e.g. academia, government, private sector, NGOs, charities, etc) to test different climate-related roleplaying scenarios.
ESRC Funding Bid
The group is currently working towards the creation of a multi-disciplinary and cross-organisational funding bid for an ESRC Standard Grant, examining possible systems for communicating environmental security issues and enhancing sustainability across and between global security forces.
Resource Orders and Transitions in Global History
Led by Dr Mats Ingulstad and Professor Joe Maiolo, this project examines how changes in the exploitation of natural resources have shaped global politics and the environment. This includes a core focus on transitions from one ‘resource order’ to another (from the industrial revolution to the development of global capitalism), and how these have led to profound geopolitical, economic, legal, social and ecological repercussions. In examining these transitions, it seeks to provider greater insights on how to mitigate their negative consequences.
Postgraduate Research
Current PhD projects include: - The geopolitics of critical minerals (Amine Ghoulidi) - Grand strategy of climate security in UK foreign and national security communities (Scott Fenn) - Issues of citizenship and pacification in Brazil and Colombia (Christoffer Goldberg) - The EU’s role as a ‘leadiator’ in global climate governance (Yuetong Guo) - Naval diplomacy and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (Hui Chen Lai)
Publications
2023
- Garside, A., Weir, D., & Plumptre, A. J. (2023). Protected zones in context: Exploring the complexity of armed conflicts and their impacts on the protection of biodiversity. International Review of the Red Cross, 105(924), 1412-1440. https://www.doi.org/10.1017/S1816383123000450
- Milburn, R. (2023) Carbon Warriors: Enhancing NATO’s Response to Climate Change, The RUSI Journal, 168(4), 30-39.
- Karagiannis, E. (2023) Why Islamists Go Green. Edinburgh: EUP.
- Lomax, J., Mirumachi, N., & Hautsch, M. (2023). Does renewable energy affect violent conflict? Exploring social opposition and injustice in the struggle over the Lake Turkana Wind Farm, Kenya. Energy Research & Social Science, 100, 103089.
- Michelsen, N. (2023). Debating ecological security in new perspectives. New Perspectives, 31(1), 3-4.
- Meehan, K., Mirumachi, N., Loftus, A., & Akhter, M. (2023). Water: A critical introduction. John Wiley & Sons.
2022
- Jalili, D. (2022). Enhancing Military Sustainability Through Education: Balancing Quick Wins with Systemic Behavioural Change. In Innovative Technologies and Renewed Policies for Achieving a Greener Defence (pp. 95-112). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
- Tripathy Furlong, B., Adams, H., Boas, I., Warner, J., & Van Dijk, H. (2022). Gendered (im) mobility: emotional decisions of staying in the context of climate risks in Bangladesh. Regional Environmental Change, 22(4), 123.
- Mitton, K. (2022). Natural Resources and Atrocities. In The Oxford Handbook of Atrocity Crimes, pp.159-186. Oxford: OUP.
- Jalili, D. (2022). Using Trusted Intermediaries to Communicate Environmental Issues Across Security Forces. Environmental Communication, 16(1), 139-144.
2021
- Quiggin, D., De Meyer, K., Hubble-Rose, L., & Froggatt, A. (2021). Climate change risk assessment 2021. The Royal Institute of International Affairs: London, UK.
- Vinall, S. and Milburn, R. (2021) ‘Countering the Illegal Wildlife Trade’, British Army Review 181, Autumn 2021, p. 94-103.
- Roberts, F., De Meyer, K., & Hubble-Rose, L. (2021). Communicating climate risk: A handbook. Cambridge Open Engage.
- Adams, H., Blackburn, S., & Mantovani, N. (2021). Psychological resilience for climate change transformation: Relational, differentiated and situated perspectives. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 50, 303-309.
2020
- Karagiannis, E. (2020). Political Islam and animal issues. In Routledge Handbook of Political Islam (pp. 38-50). Routledge.
- De Meyer, K., Coren, E., McCaffrey, M., & Slean, C. (2020). Transforming the stories we tell about climate change: from ‘issue’to ‘action’. Environmental Research Letters, 16(1), 015002.
- Maji, K. J., Arora, M., & Dikshit, A. K. (2018). Premature mortality attributable to PM2. 5 exposure and future policy roadmap for ‘airpocalypse’ affected Asian megacities. Process safety and environmental protection, 118, 371-383.
- Zeoni, L. and Jalili, D. (2020) ‘Londra Mette L’artico Nel Mirino’, Limes, Revista Italiana di Geopolitica: 203-211
- Zeitoun, M., Mirumachi, N. & Warner, J. (2020) Water conflicts: Analysis for transformation. New York; Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Mirumachi, N., Sawas, A. & Workman, M. (2020) 'Unveiling the security concerns of low carbon development: climate security analysis of the undesirable and unintended effects of mitigation and adaptation,' Climate and Development, 12(2): 97-109.
- Dickman, A., Johnson, P., Coals, P., Harrington, L., Tyrrell, P., Somerville, K., Cotterill, A. & Whetham, D. (2020) ‘Wars over Wildlife: Green Militarisation and Just War Theory’, Conservation and Society, 18(3): 293-297.
- Winch, C., Clarke, L. & Sahin-Dikmen, M. (2020) 'Overcoming diverse approaches to vocational education and training to combat climate change: the case of low energy construction in Europe ', Oxford Review of Education, 46(5): 619-636.
- Bevan, L., Colley, T. and Workman, M. (2020) ‘Climate change strategic narratives in the UK: Emergency, Extinction, Effectiveness’, Energy Research and Social Science, Vol. 69.
2019
- Chin Yee, S. (2019) Climate change and human security: Case studies linking vulnerable populations to increased security risks in the face of the global climate challenge. Strategy Paper Eighteen. London: European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS).
- Boas, I., Farbotko, C., Adams, H. et al. (2019) ‘Climate migration myths’, Nature Climate Change, 9: 901–903.
- Chin, W. (2019) ‘Technology, war and the state: past, present and future’, International Affairs 95(4), July: 765–783.
2018
- Murphy , R, Pelling, M, Adams, H, Di Vincez, S & Visman, E. (2018) 'Survivor-Led Response: Local recommendations to operationalise building back better', International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, vol. 31: 135-142.
2017
- Bushell, S., Buisson, G.S., Workman, M., and Colley, T. (2017) Strategic Narratives in Climate Change: Towards a Unifying Narrative to Address the Action Gap on Climate Change. In: Energy Research and Social Science, Vol. 28: 39-49.
2016
- Chin-Yee, S. (2016) 'Briefing: Africa and the Paris climate change agreement', African Affairs, 115(459), April: 359-368.
2015
- Karagiannis, E. (2015) When the Green Gets Greener: Political Islam’s Newly Found Environmentalism, In: Small Wars and Insurgencies. 26(1): 181-201.
2014
- Rapley, C. & De Meyer, K. (2014) 'Climate science reconsidered', Nature climate change, 4(9): 745-746.
News
Are we at a pivotal moment in the climate emergency?
A new podcast episode looks at where we are in the climate crisis, how recent events have affected the priority of environmental issues and whether we still...
School of Security Studies to offer new modules exploring security implications of climate change
Read about our new educational modules being developed to enhance knowledge of climate and security
Environmental Security Research Group leading ground-breaking projects as part COP26 Climate Change Conference
The ESRG will develop an innovative project on gamification as well as environmental peacebuilding workshops for Lambeth Palace
New research group to support vital work on environmental security and resource scarcity
The new inter-disciplinary and collaborative research group focuses on all aspects of environmental security
Public Engagement
Public Engagement
Podcast mini-series
The ESRG teamed up with the University of Queensland to produce a special podcast mini-series ‘Climate Change and National Security’ in the run up to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).
- Episode 1 - Government responses to climate change and national security
- Episode 2 - Drivers and obstacles of the UN Climate Change Agenda
- Episode 3 - China, India and the USA’s different approaches to climate security
- Episode 4 - Climate change and the securitisation of vulnerable nations
- Episode 5 - Challenges and Solutions of Climate Geoengineering
Environmental Security Roleplaying and Wargaming
As part of its commitment to enhancing and democratizing education, members of the ESRG have been creating open-access roleplaying games on issues ranging from climate negotiations through to stabilization operations in climate affected regions. These games have been tested and developed with officials across multiple governments and security forces, in order to provide new research insights into the value of roleplaying for environmental leadership. For more information or to get a copy of such games please contact environmental-security@kcl.ac.uk. For a limited time, you can also play our online game on the challenges of biodiversity conservation in conflict areas at www.playtosave.co.uk (made in collaboration with Tunza Games and officials from Op CORDED)
Consultancy and Expertise
Our members work across a vast array of different subject areas. We regularly provide oral, written and research contributions to policymakers and practitioners. This includes support for longstanding partners, including the United Nations, NATO, the EU Parliament, UK Ministry of Defence, FCDO and Cabinet Office, and others. It also includes the delivery of expert insights for media outlets and think tanks, as well as the provision of consultancy and advice for charity and advocacy groups (particularly those seeking to enhance community resilience and policy change). Please contact us if you wish to see whether we can provide support or expertise for a project.
Executive Education and CPD
Alongside our research, our members are actively involved in the development and delivery of environmental security education (from lectures and seminars, to tailored workshops and courses). This has included the provision of accredited modules and workshops for security officials from countries including the UK, France, Canada and the Philippines. It has also included support in the development and delivery of specialised learning interventions for specific teams and organisations (e.g. wargames, field trips, etc). If you are looking for Executive Education and CPD for your organisation, please reach out to us to discuss your goals and requirements.
External Members and Organisational Partnerships
To support greater collaboration between scholars and practitioners, the ESRG is open to membership from individuals and organisations outside of King’s College London. Our current members include diplomats, military officials and policymakers, as well as non-governmental officials from sectors including journalism, humanitarian aid, charity, religion, activism and academia. If you are interested in working with us as an individual or organisation, please email us at environmental-security@kcl.ac.uk
Related King's groups:
Climate, law and governance
The King’s Centre for Climate Law and Governance fosters interdisciplinary research about legal and governance approaches to the disruptive challenges of climate change and sustainability.
Environment & public policy
The Environment and Public Policy Group delivers theoretically and empirically grounded research focused on environmental issues and the energy transition.
King's climate hub
A cross-disciplinary home to research expertise on climate change across time and space.
King's water centre
King’s Water Centre works to incubate, elevate, and empower the best science and innovation to tackle the world’s water problems.
People
Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
Lecturer in Engineering
Senior Lecturer in National Security Studies
Senior Lecturer
Senior Visiting Research Fellow in War Studies
Projects
Ongoing Projects
Members of the group, either individually or in collaboration with partners, are working on a wide variety of research projects, on subjects including: environmental communications; climate resilience in small states; human migration dynamics; and military sustainability.
GAMEngage: Gamification for stakeholder engagement
The GAMEngage study, funded by Circle U and conducted in collaboration with partners from King’s Business School, Aarhus University, and the University of Vienna, explores how interactive roleplaying games impact people's knowledge and beliefs about climate security and sustainability. The research involves participants from various sectors (e.g. academia, government, private sector, NGOs, charities, etc) to test different climate-related roleplaying scenarios.
ESRC Funding Bid
The group is currently working towards the creation of a multi-disciplinary and cross-organisational funding bid for an ESRC Standard Grant, examining possible systems for communicating environmental security issues and enhancing sustainability across and between global security forces.
Resource Orders and Transitions in Global History
Led by Dr Mats Ingulstad and Professor Joe Maiolo, this project examines how changes in the exploitation of natural resources have shaped global politics and the environment. This includes a core focus on transitions from one ‘resource order’ to another (from the industrial revolution to the development of global capitalism), and how these have led to profound geopolitical, economic, legal, social and ecological repercussions. In examining these transitions, it seeks to provider greater insights on how to mitigate their negative consequences.
Postgraduate Research
Current PhD projects include: - The geopolitics of critical minerals (Amine Ghoulidi) - Grand strategy of climate security in UK foreign and national security communities (Scott Fenn) - Issues of citizenship and pacification in Brazil and Colombia (Christoffer Goldberg) - The EU’s role as a ‘leadiator’ in global climate governance (Yuetong Guo) - Naval diplomacy and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (Hui Chen Lai)
Publications
2023
- Garside, A., Weir, D., & Plumptre, A. J. (2023). Protected zones in context: Exploring the complexity of armed conflicts and their impacts on the protection of biodiversity. International Review of the Red Cross, 105(924), 1412-1440. https://www.doi.org/10.1017/S1816383123000450
- Milburn, R. (2023) Carbon Warriors: Enhancing NATO’s Response to Climate Change, The RUSI Journal, 168(4), 30-39.
- Karagiannis, E. (2023) Why Islamists Go Green. Edinburgh: EUP.
- Lomax, J., Mirumachi, N., & Hautsch, M. (2023). Does renewable energy affect violent conflict? Exploring social opposition and injustice in the struggle over the Lake Turkana Wind Farm, Kenya. Energy Research & Social Science, 100, 103089.
- Michelsen, N. (2023). Debating ecological security in new perspectives. New Perspectives, 31(1), 3-4.
- Meehan, K., Mirumachi, N., Loftus, A., & Akhter, M. (2023). Water: A critical introduction. John Wiley & Sons.
2022
- Jalili, D. (2022). Enhancing Military Sustainability Through Education: Balancing Quick Wins with Systemic Behavioural Change. In Innovative Technologies and Renewed Policies for Achieving a Greener Defence (pp. 95-112). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
- Tripathy Furlong, B., Adams, H., Boas, I., Warner, J., & Van Dijk, H. (2022). Gendered (im) mobility: emotional decisions of staying in the context of climate risks in Bangladesh. Regional Environmental Change, 22(4), 123.
- Mitton, K. (2022). Natural Resources and Atrocities. In The Oxford Handbook of Atrocity Crimes, pp.159-186. Oxford: OUP.
- Jalili, D. (2022). Using Trusted Intermediaries to Communicate Environmental Issues Across Security Forces. Environmental Communication, 16(1), 139-144.
2021
- Quiggin, D., De Meyer, K., Hubble-Rose, L., & Froggatt, A. (2021). Climate change risk assessment 2021. The Royal Institute of International Affairs: London, UK.
- Vinall, S. and Milburn, R. (2021) ‘Countering the Illegal Wildlife Trade’, British Army Review 181, Autumn 2021, p. 94-103.
- Roberts, F., De Meyer, K., & Hubble-Rose, L. (2021). Communicating climate risk: A handbook. Cambridge Open Engage.
- Adams, H., Blackburn, S., & Mantovani, N. (2021). Psychological resilience for climate change transformation: Relational, differentiated and situated perspectives. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 50, 303-309.
2020
- Karagiannis, E. (2020). Political Islam and animal issues. In Routledge Handbook of Political Islam (pp. 38-50). Routledge.
- De Meyer, K., Coren, E., McCaffrey, M., & Slean, C. (2020). Transforming the stories we tell about climate change: from ‘issue’to ‘action’. Environmental Research Letters, 16(1), 015002.
- Maji, K. J., Arora, M., & Dikshit, A. K. (2018). Premature mortality attributable to PM2. 5 exposure and future policy roadmap for ‘airpocalypse’ affected Asian megacities. Process safety and environmental protection, 118, 371-383.
- Zeoni, L. and Jalili, D. (2020) ‘Londra Mette L’artico Nel Mirino’, Limes, Revista Italiana di Geopolitica: 203-211
- Zeitoun, M., Mirumachi, N. & Warner, J. (2020) Water conflicts: Analysis for transformation. New York; Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Mirumachi, N., Sawas, A. & Workman, M. (2020) 'Unveiling the security concerns of low carbon development: climate security analysis of the undesirable and unintended effects of mitigation and adaptation,' Climate and Development, 12(2): 97-109.
- Dickman, A., Johnson, P., Coals, P., Harrington, L., Tyrrell, P., Somerville, K., Cotterill, A. & Whetham, D. (2020) ‘Wars over Wildlife: Green Militarisation and Just War Theory’, Conservation and Society, 18(3): 293-297.
- Winch, C., Clarke, L. & Sahin-Dikmen, M. (2020) 'Overcoming diverse approaches to vocational education and training to combat climate change: the case of low energy construction in Europe ', Oxford Review of Education, 46(5): 619-636.
- Bevan, L., Colley, T. and Workman, M. (2020) ‘Climate change strategic narratives in the UK: Emergency, Extinction, Effectiveness’, Energy Research and Social Science, Vol. 69.
2019
- Chin Yee, S. (2019) Climate change and human security: Case studies linking vulnerable populations to increased security risks in the face of the global climate challenge. Strategy Paper Eighteen. London: European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS).
- Boas, I., Farbotko, C., Adams, H. et al. (2019) ‘Climate migration myths’, Nature Climate Change, 9: 901–903.
- Chin, W. (2019) ‘Technology, war and the state: past, present and future’, International Affairs 95(4), July: 765–783.
2018
- Murphy , R, Pelling, M, Adams, H, Di Vincez, S & Visman, E. (2018) 'Survivor-Led Response: Local recommendations to operationalise building back better', International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, vol. 31: 135-142.
2017
- Bushell, S., Buisson, G.S., Workman, M., and Colley, T. (2017) Strategic Narratives in Climate Change: Towards a Unifying Narrative to Address the Action Gap on Climate Change. In: Energy Research and Social Science, Vol. 28: 39-49.
2016
- Chin-Yee, S. (2016) 'Briefing: Africa and the Paris climate change agreement', African Affairs, 115(459), April: 359-368.
2015
- Karagiannis, E. (2015) When the Green Gets Greener: Political Islam’s Newly Found Environmentalism, In: Small Wars and Insurgencies. 26(1): 181-201.
2014
- Rapley, C. & De Meyer, K. (2014) 'Climate science reconsidered', Nature climate change, 4(9): 745-746.
News
Are we at a pivotal moment in the climate emergency?
A new podcast episode looks at where we are in the climate crisis, how recent events have affected the priority of environmental issues and whether we still...
School of Security Studies to offer new modules exploring security implications of climate change
Read about our new educational modules being developed to enhance knowledge of climate and security
Environmental Security Research Group leading ground-breaking projects as part COP26 Climate Change Conference
The ESRG will develop an innovative project on gamification as well as environmental peacebuilding workshops for Lambeth Palace
New research group to support vital work on environmental security and resource scarcity
The new inter-disciplinary and collaborative research group focuses on all aspects of environmental security
Public Engagement
Public Engagement
Podcast mini-series
The ESRG teamed up with the University of Queensland to produce a special podcast mini-series ‘Climate Change and National Security’ in the run up to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).
- Episode 1 - Government responses to climate change and national security
- Episode 2 - Drivers and obstacles of the UN Climate Change Agenda
- Episode 3 - China, India and the USA’s different approaches to climate security
- Episode 4 - Climate change and the securitisation of vulnerable nations
- Episode 5 - Challenges and Solutions of Climate Geoengineering
Environmental Security Roleplaying and Wargaming
As part of its commitment to enhancing and democratizing education, members of the ESRG have been creating open-access roleplaying games on issues ranging from climate negotiations through to stabilization operations in climate affected regions. These games have been tested and developed with officials across multiple governments and security forces, in order to provide new research insights into the value of roleplaying for environmental leadership. For more information or to get a copy of such games please contact environmental-security@kcl.ac.uk. For a limited time, you can also play our online game on the challenges of biodiversity conservation in conflict areas at www.playtosave.co.uk (made in collaboration with Tunza Games and officials from Op CORDED)
Consultancy and Expertise
Our members work across a vast array of different subject areas. We regularly provide oral, written and research contributions to policymakers and practitioners. This includes support for longstanding partners, including the United Nations, NATO, the EU Parliament, UK Ministry of Defence, FCDO and Cabinet Office, and others. It also includes the delivery of expert insights for media outlets and think tanks, as well as the provision of consultancy and advice for charity and advocacy groups (particularly those seeking to enhance community resilience and policy change). Please contact us if you wish to see whether we can provide support or expertise for a project.
Executive Education and CPD
Alongside our research, our members are actively involved in the development and delivery of environmental security education (from lectures and seminars, to tailored workshops and courses). This has included the provision of accredited modules and workshops for security officials from countries including the UK, France, Canada and the Philippines. It has also included support in the development and delivery of specialised learning interventions for specific teams and organisations (e.g. wargames, field trips, etc). If you are looking for Executive Education and CPD for your organisation, please reach out to us to discuss your goals and requirements.
External Members and Organisational Partnerships
To support greater collaboration between scholars and practitioners, the ESRG is open to membership from individuals and organisations outside of King’s College London. Our current members include diplomats, military officials and policymakers, as well as non-governmental officials from sectors including journalism, humanitarian aid, charity, religion, activism and academia. If you are interested in working with us as an individual or organisation, please email us at environmental-security@kcl.ac.uk
Related King's groups:
Climate, law and governance
The King’s Centre for Climate Law and Governance fosters interdisciplinary research about legal and governance approaches to the disruptive challenges of climate change and sustainability.
Environment & public policy
The Environment and Public Policy Group delivers theoretically and empirically grounded research focused on environmental issues and the energy transition.
King's climate hub
A cross-disciplinary home to research expertise on climate change across time and space.
King's water centre
King’s Water Centre works to incubate, elevate, and empower the best science and innovation to tackle the world’s water problems.
Group leads
Senior Lecturer, Environment and Security
Professor of International History
Reader in History and Foreign Policy
Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy)