Climate change reshapes global geopolitics and economic policy

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a central dimension of economic policy, impacting trade, industrial strategy, and public health. At a summer university event in Andorra la Vella, discussions highlighted how climate policy is no longer strictly an environmental issue but a multifaceted challenge affecting national economies and social structures.

Emmanuela Dousi, a professor of International Institutions and UNESCO Chair of Climate Diplomacy, noted that the climate crisis is reshaping global geopolitics. The shift in temperatures and climate patterns is driving international competition for strategic zones and critical resources. For instance, Arctic ice melt is opening new commercial routes, while the demand for materials essential to new technologies—such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements—is intensifying.

Furthermore, access to water, food security, and population movements are becoming critical geopolitical factors. The gradual transition away from fossil fuels is also creating new economic dependencies and shifting global power dynamics.