EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall said that environmental policy must be integrated into the European Union's defence and security strategy [1, 2].
This shift in framing suggests that the EU views ecological stability and resource management as critical components of national and regional security. By linking green legislation to defence, the commission aims to reconcile the often-conflicting goals of strict environmental regulation and industrial competitiveness.
Speaking in an interview with Euronews in Brussels, Roswall addressed the tension between regulatory requirements and the ability of European businesses to compete globally [1, 2]. She said the EU cannot choose between environmental legislation and competitiveness, implying that the two are interdependent rather than opposing forces [1].
Roswall specifically highlighted the role of the agricultural sector in this framework. She said that supporting farmers and agriculture is essential for the overall security of Europe [1, 2]. This connection positions food security and sustainable land management as strategic assets, not just environmental concerns, within the broader EU security architecture.
The Commissioner's remarks signal a move toward a more holistic approach to governance. By embedding environmental goals within the defence strategy, the EU seeks to ensure that its climate targets do not undermine its strategic autonomy or the viability of its primary producers [1, 2].
"Environmental policy must be part of defence strategy," Roswall said [1].
“Environmental policy must be part of defence strategy.”
This approach marks a strategic pivot where environmental health is redefined as a security prerequisite. By framing the support of farmers and the maintenance of ecological standards as matters of defence, the EU is attempting to shield environmental policies from being rolled back during economic downturns or security crises, arguing that ecological failure is a security risk in itself.
