As the world grapples with interlinked crises—from rising sea levels and extreme weather events to geopolitical tensions and resource competition—the connection between climate and security with the maritime sphere has become increasingly relevant. Responding to the need to explore these connections, the Maritime Research Alliance and SLYCAN Trust partnered to host a workshop on 30 September 2025 at the Copenhagen Business School.
The event brought together experts, academics, and practitioners to examine the linkages between biodiversity, decarbonization, climate resilience, and security in the maritime sector, providing a space for knowledge exchange and discussion on ongoing research as well as areas for future collaboration and joint initiatives. With a diverse range of participants, including representatives from the Copenhagen Business School, SLYCAN Trust, Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, the Danish Institute for International Studies, DTU Aqua, and Global Negotiations Support, the workshop saw productive discussions across three thematic breakout groups and a high-level panel.
Throughout the day, discussants highlighted the central role of oceans and the maritime sector for planetary climate regulation, livelihoods, and global trade. As the impacts of climate change, ranging from biodiversity loss and ocean acidification to disruptions in coastal economies, continue to intensify, maritime issues cannot be addressed in isolation but must account for broader environmental and security dynamics, particularly in the context of multilateral governance frameworks.
This is especially relevant as global environmental governance has evolved from a patchwork of sectoral treaties into a denser regime complex that increasingly links climate, biodiversity, and pollution control with security and trade, and the maritime sector has been central for this shift through instruments like UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) safety and emissions rules, the Port State Measures Agreement, regional seas conventions, and—most recently—the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). These arrangements illustrate how environmental and security objectives now co-evolve at sea: safeguarding the global commons while making supply chains more resilient, improving compliance and surveillance, and aligning naval, coast guard, and environmental authorities around shared risk management and mitigation .
Research and knowledge exchange as well as the role of non-state actors emerged as key focus areas in the breakout group sessions, which were split between biodiversity, climate change, and security. Academic and research institutions hold critical expertise that can inform evidence-based policymaking, and stronger collaboration between researchers and policymakers (e.g., through joint research platforms, open-access data, and regular policy dialogues) was identified as an avenue to create targeted, practical responses to maritime challenges. Similarly, collaboration between state and non-state actors (such as ports, insurers, the shipping industry, or think tanks) could bring a range of benefits and unlock important synergies.
Institutional and technical capacity was highlighted as another cornerstone of effective maritime governance, as well as a key constraint faced especially by many developing countries. Strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing training programmes, and mobilizing financial as well as technical resources were identified as vital steps toward improving resilience and collective security in the maritime domain.
A high-level panel featuring Annette Skovsted Hansen, Hugo Schally, and Thomas Roslyng Olesen concluded the workshop by unpacking the complex interplay between sustainability and security in the maritime context. They noted that despite the interconnectedness of these challenges, policy and research communities often operate in silos, resulting in fragmented efforts. The panelists called for greater institutional coordination and policy integration across national and global levels to address the climate-environment-security nexus. This could facilitate information-sharing, harmonize policies, and ensure that multilateral actions respond to local needs and priorities.
Participants further noted the value of engaging in global policy platforms to elevate the maritime dimension of the climate-security agenda. The discussions concluded with a shared understanding that safeguarding the world’s oceans requires a holistic, inclusive, and collaborative approach that connects environmental protection, decarbonization, and peacebuilding. Building cross-sectoral and regional partnerships will be key to ensuring that marine conservation and climate action contribute to global stability and sustainable development.
The workshop reaffirmed SLYCAN Trust’s commitment to expanding partnerships and advancing the dialogue on the critical security-climate nexus and its interlinkages with different components and sectors. Through this, the organization continues to strengthen research-policy linkages, support resilience-building, and promote a proactive approach to securing a sustainable maritime future.
SLYCAN Trust is a non-profit think tank. It has been a registered legal entity in the form of a trust since 2016, and a guarantee limited company since 2019. The entities focus on the thematic areas of climate change, adaptation and resilience, sustainable development, environmental conservation and restoration, social justice, and animal welfare. SLYCAN Trust’s activities include legal and policy research, education and awareness creation, capacity building and training, and implementation of ground level action. SLYCAN Trust aims to facilitate and contribute to multi-stakeholder driven, inclusive and participatory actions for a sustainable and resilient future for all.
As the world grapples with interlinked crises—from rising sea levels and extreme weather events to geopolitical tensions and resource competition—the connection between climate and security with the maritime sphere has become increasingly relevant. Responding to the need to explore these connections, the Maritime Research Alliance and SLYCAN Trust partnered to host a workshop on 30 September 2025 at the Copenhagen Business School.
The event brought together experts, academics, and practitioners to examine the linkages between biodiversity, decarbonization, climate resilience, and security in the maritime sector, providing a space for knowledge exchange and discussion on ongoing research as well as areas for future collaboration and joint initiatives. With a diverse range of participants, including representatives from the Copenhagen Business School, SLYCAN Trust, Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, the Danish Institute for International Studies, DTU Aqua, and Global Negotiations Support, the workshop saw productive discussions across three thematic breakout groups and a high-level panel.
Throughout the day, discussants highlighted the central role of oceans and the maritime sector for planetary climate regulation, livelihoods, and global trade. As the impacts of climate change, ranging from biodiversity loss and ocean acidification to disruptions in coastal economies, continue to intensify, maritime issues cannot be addressed in isolation but must account for broader environmental and security dynamics, particularly in the context of multilateral governance frameworks.
This is especially relevant as global environmental governance has evolved from a patchwork of sectoral treaties into a denser regime complex that increasingly links climate, biodiversity, and pollution control with security and trade, and the maritime sector has been central for this shift through instruments like UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) safety and emissions rules, the Port State Measures Agreement, regional seas conventions, and—most recently—the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). These arrangements illustrate how environmental and security objectives now co-evolve at sea: safeguarding the global commons while making supply chains more resilient, improving compliance and surveillance, and aligning naval, coast guard, and environmental authorities around shared risk management and mitigation .
Research and knowledge exchange as well as the role of non-state actors emerged as key focus areas in the breakout group sessions, which were split between biodiversity, climate change, and security. Academic and research institutions hold critical expertise that can inform evidence-based policymaking, and stronger collaboration between researchers and policymakers (e.g., through joint research platforms, open-access data, and regular policy dialogues) was identified as an avenue to create targeted, practical responses to maritime challenges. Similarly, collaboration between state and non-state actors (such as ports, insurers, the shipping industry, or think tanks) could bring a range of benefits and unlock important synergies.
Institutional and technical capacity was highlighted as another cornerstone of effective maritime governance, as well as a key constraint faced especially by many developing countries. Strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing training programmes, and mobilizing financial as well as technical resources were identified as vital steps toward improving resilience and collective security in the maritime domain.
A high-level panel featuring Annette Skovsted Hansen, Hugo Schally, and Thomas Roslyng Olesen concluded the workshop by unpacking the complex interplay between sustainability and security in the maritime context. They noted that despite the interconnectedness of these challenges, policy and research communities often operate in silos, resulting in fragmented efforts. The panelists called for greater institutional coordination and policy integration across national and global levels to address the climate-environment-security nexus. This could facilitate information-sharing, harmonize policies, and ensure that multilateral actions respond to local needs and priorities.
Participants further noted the value of engaging in global policy platforms to elevate the maritime dimension of the climate-security agenda. The discussions concluded with a shared understanding that safeguarding the world’s oceans requires a holistic, inclusive, and collaborative approach that connects environmental protection, decarbonization, and peacebuilding. Building cross-sectoral and regional partnerships will be key to ensuring that marine conservation and climate action contribute to global stability and sustainable development.
The workshop reaffirmed SLYCAN Trust’s commitment to expanding partnerships and advancing the dialogue on the critical security-climate nexus and its interlinkages with different components and sectors. Through this, the organization continues to strengthen research-policy linkages, support resilience-building, and promote a proactive approach to securing a sustainable maritime future.
