29 April 2026

Med-Or Presents the Volume “The Challenge of Environmental Security in the Euro-Mediterranean Region”

The publication, issued by Springer and developed within the framework of the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, was presented at the Foundation’s headquarters, with participation from international experts and institutional representatives.

On 29 April 2026, the workshop entitled “The Challenge of Environmental Security and Climate Change in the Euro-Mediterranean Region” was held in Rome at the headquarters of the Med-Or Italian Foundation. The event marked the conclusion of a major international research project launched in 2024 in cooperation with the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). The publication “The Challenge of Environmental Security in the Euro-Mediterranean Region” (Springer) was also presented on this occasion.

Edited by Maria Fabrizia Buongiorno, Enrico Casini, and Andrea Manciulli, the volume brings together multidisciplinary contributions from experts across NATO member states and partner countries, with a focus on the security implications of climate change and related crisis management. Many of the contributors also participated as speakers in the international event “Climate Change and Natural Disasters in the Euro-Mediterranean Region: Security Impacts and Crisis Management,” held in November 2024 as part of the same project.

The book examines the complex origins of climate change, considering both natural and anthropogenic factors. It also explores how these dynamics increase the frequency and intensity of extreme events—seismic, atmospheric, and volcanic—across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Particular attention is given to the vulnerability of infrastructure, ecosystems, and populations. Case studies on Jordan and Italy highlight, respectively, the challenges of water scarcity and desertification, and the risks associated with extensive coastal areas combined with active seismic zones.

The volume also looks at the implications for security on NATO’s southern flank, including competition over resources and risks to critical infrastructure, and proposes strategies to strengthen climate resilience and crisis management. Additional topics include advanced multi-risk analysis techniques—such as satellite hazard mapping, probabilistic risk assessment, and scenario planning—as well as operational tools like early warning systems, cross-border cooperation, and community-based risk reduction programmes. The book is intended for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working to strengthen stability and security in the Euro-Mediterranean area.

The workshop reaffirmed Med-Or’s commitment to raising awareness of the growing link between climate change and security, highlighting the need for a more integrated, multi-dimensional approach to these challenges. The event opened with remarks by Andrea Manciulli, Head of Institutional Relations at Med-Or; Ettore Marchesoni, Advisor and Programme Manager of the NATO SPS Programme; and Giovanni Fedele, First Secretary at the Italian Permanent Representation to the North Atlantic Council.

The event continued with a panel titled “Climate Change: Strategic Implications, Crisis Management, and Technological Applications,” which explored key issues through the use of advanced technologies and satellite monitoring. Moderated by Tommaso Alberti of INGV, the panel featured Enrico Casini, Head of Communications at the Med-Or Italian Foundation; Maria Fabrizia Buongiorno, Director of the Environment Department at INGV; Sandro Carniel, Research Director at the Institute of Polar Sciences of the National Research Council (CNR); and Marco Anzidei, Research Director at the National Earthquake Observatory section of INGV.

This was followed by a roundtable discussion moderated by Emanuele Rossi of Decode39, entitled “Climate Change and Environmental Security: Challenges and Priorities for the National System.” Participants included Marzia Ravanelli, Director of Quality and Sustainability at BF Group S.p.A.; Simone Nisi, Executive Vice President for Institutional Affairs, Regulatory & Climate Change at Edison; Milena Lerario, Chief Executive Officer of e-GEOS; and Luca Baione, General of the Italian Air Force and former Permanent Representative of Italy to the World Meteorological Organization.

The workshop highlighted the importance of climate-related challenges for the broader Mediterranean region, where the effects of global warming intersect with geopolitical, economic, and social dynamics. It also emphasized the increasing urgency of strengthening international cooperation, prevention capacities, and crisis management tools.