Global climate debates have sparked concerns about the stability of food, water, and ecological systems, as shifts in energy supplies bring with them substantial financial and social costs. Amid increasing multilateral paralysis, pressures from domestic politics, and corporate interests, international momentum on climate action risks stalling. While the world gathers every year around COP, effective progress remains limited, especially around issues of justice and accountability. Tensions between technological development and environmental protection are growing amidst an exponential increase in energy demands, further straining natural resources and triggering tensions within or between countries. What are the social, economic, and geopolitical implications of how states respond to differing climate crises? Fiker Institute’s Climate Security Program seeks to explore the nexus between climate and conflict, which places it at the center of national security concerns as the environment becomes both a casualty and a tool of war.
COP30: What to Expect

COP30: What to Expect

In November 2025, Brazil will host COP30, the annual UN climate conference. International climate governance has witnessed uneven progress in recent years, with North-South tensions and geopolitical instability threatening vital action against deteriorating climate conditions. What can we expect from Brazil’s COP and how does the summit highlight deeper problems in global climate governance?

Yasmeen Jaber
America’s Climate Finance Exodus: What It Means For Africa

America’s Climate Finance Exodus: What It Means For Africa

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump upended years of climate finance commitments to Africa. The US President issued an executive order withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement and rescinding the US International Climate Finance Plan. This did not come as a surprise as it is the second time President Trump has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement. […]

Climate Justice & Historical Accountability

Climate Justice & Historical Accountability

The historical legacy of colonialism and its impact on current climate realities are often overlooked in international debates. This Essay explores these critical historical nuances in an attempt to shed light on the existing and compounding challenges faced by the Global South to this day.

Seo-Hee Hong
Rethinking Water Security In Arab States

Rethinking Water Security In Arab States

Water security should be placed at the forefront of the Arab development agenda. This Issue Brief examines possible policy interventions against severe water scarcity in the region, which is set to endanger millions unless effective collective action is taken.

Pamela Tannous