Climate Change and its Consequences
A workshop on the effects on critical infrastructure
Nov 18, 2025 / Vienna / Global Affairs / Austrian Foreign, Security, Defence Policy
On 18 November, the Austria Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES), in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Defence (BMLV), organized a workshop on “Climate Change and Its Impact on Critical Infrastructure.” The discussion focused on current scientific findings, operational insights from state authorities, and the security implications of climate-related risks for Austria and Europe.
From a scientific perspective, it was emphasized that Austria is already experiencing clearly noticeable climatic changes. Climate models and projections indicate a rise in heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall events, and a continued decline of the cryosphere. These developments are increasingly affecting the stability of settlements and the resilience of critical infrastructure. At the same time, participants stressed that climate scenarios are not predictions but essential planning tools for strategic adaptation.
The security-focused contributions highlighted that the operational readiness of state institutions, particularly the Austrian Armed Forces, is becoming ever more affected by climatic changes. Extreme weather events influence supply chains, mobility, and overall endurance, while the military’s strong dependence on the civilian energy system represents an additional vulnerability. Austria is therefore confronted with the need to reassess its security assumptions and strengthen strategic preparedness at both the national and European levels.
From an energy policy perspective, existing dependencies on fossil fuel imports were identified as a significant risk factor. Volatile energy prices, geopolitical uncertainties, and structural dependencies on third countries increase vulnerabilities for both the economy and national security. Expanding renewable energy, modernizing grid infrastructure, and developing new industrial policy models were highlighted as key components for greater resilience.
The discussion underscored that climate-related risks increasingly overlap, creating cascading effects across multiple sectors simultaneously. This dynamic requires long-term strategic planning, closer cooperation between politics, science, the private sector, and the military, as well as consistent alignment with European frameworks. There was broad agreement that climate change represents a core security challenge. One that can only be addressed effectively through joint, society-wide, and European approaches.
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