Sec. 102. Enhancing United States security considerations for global climate disruptions
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The Secretary of State, in consultation with other relevant agencies, shall conduct biennial comprehensive evaluations of present and ongoing disruptions to the global climate system, including— the intensity, frequency, and range of natural disasters; the scarcity of global natural resources, including fresh water; global food, health, and energy insecurities; conditions that contribute to— intrastate and interstate conflicts; foreign political and economic instability; international migration of vulnerable and underserved populations; the failure of national governments; and gender-based violence; and United States and allied military readiness, operations, and strategy.
The purposes of the evaluations conducted under subsection
(a)are— to support the practical application of scientific data and research on climate change’s dynamic effects around the world to improve resilience, adaptability, security, and stability despite growing global environmental risks and changes; to ensure that the strategic planning and mission execution of United States international development and diplomatic missions adequately account for heightened and dynamic risks and challenges associated with the effects of climate change; to improve coordination between United States science agencies conducting research and forecasts on the causes and effects of climate change and United States national security agencies; to better understand the disproportionate effects of global climate disruptions on women, girls, indigenous communities, and other historically marginalized populations; and to inform the development of the climate security strategy described in subsection (d). The evaluations conducted under subsection
(a)shall— examine developing countries’ vulnerabilities and risks associated with global, regional, and localized effects of climate change; and assess and make recommendations on necessary measures to mitigate risks and reduce vulnerabilities associated with effects, including— sea level rise; freshwater resource scarcity; wildfires; and increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather conditions and events, such as flooding, drought, and extreme storm events, including tropical cyclones. The Secretary shall use the evaluations required under subsection (a)— to inform the development and implementation of a climate security strategy for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, embassies, consulates, regional bureaus, and other offices and programs operating chief of mission authority, including those with roles in conflict avoidance, prevention and security assistance, or humanitarian disaster response, prevention, and assistance; and in furtherance of such strategy, to assess, develop, budget for, and (upon approval) implement plans, policies, and actions— to account for the impacts of climate change to global human health, safety, governance, oceans, food production, fresh water and other critical natural resources, settlements, infrastructure, marginalized groups, and economic activity; to evaluate the climate change vulnerability, security, susceptibility, and resiliency of United States interests and non-defense assets abroad; to coordinate the integration of climate change risk and vulnerability assessments into all foreign policy and security decision-making processes, including awarding foreign assistance; to evaluate specific risks to certain regions and countries that are— vulnerable to the effects of climate change; and strategically significant to the United States; to enhance the resilience capacities of foreign countries to the effects of climate change as a means of reducing the risks of conflict and instability; to advance principles of good governance by encouraging foreign governments, particularly nations that are least capable of coping with the effects of climate change— to conduct climate security evaluations; and to facilitate the development of climate security action plans to ensure stability and public safety in disaster situations in a humane and responsible fashion; to evaluate the vulnerability, security, susceptibility, and resiliency of United States interests and nondefense assets abroad; to build international institutional capacity to address climate security implications and to advance United States interests, regional stability, and global security; and other activities that advance— the utilization and integration of climate science in national security planning; and the clear understanding of how the effects of climate change can exacerbate security risks and threats.