Deadline: 05-Nov-2026
The European Commission initiative supports research and innovation to enhance law enforcement capabilities in addressing climate-related security challenges. It recognizes that climate change is reshaping crime patterns and creating new risks for societies and security systems. The programme funds projects that develop tools, skills, and knowledge to respond to these emerging threats.
Purpose and Objectives
The main objective is to strengthen preparedness and response capacity of law enforcement agencies in relation to climate-driven criminal activity. The programme aims to improve understanding of how climate change influences crime patterns, social instability, and security risks. It also seeks to develop advanced tools, training, and analytical frameworks for law enforcement.
Key Focus Areas
The initiative focuses on environmental crime, organised crime, migration-related risks, and climate-related security threats. It also includes analysis of social dynamics influenced by climate change and the role of emerging technologies in criminal networks. Additional areas include policy implications, risk analysis, and law enforcement modernization.
Climate-Related Crime Types
The programme identifies several categories of climate-linked criminal activity. These include illegal mining, deforestation, and environmental pollution. It also covers wildlife trafficking, waste management violations, greenwashing, carbon credit fraud, land grabbing, water theft, and crimes linked to climate disasters such as looting and exploitation.
Migration and Social Stability Risks
Climate change is linked to increased displacement and migration pressures, which can create security vulnerabilities. These include risks of human trafficking, exploitation, and social instability in affected regions. The programme emphasizes the need to address these interconnected social and security challenges.
Law Enforcement Capacity Building
A key objective is to enhance the skills and capabilities of law enforcement agencies. This includes developing new forensic tools, analytical methods, and investigative technologies. Training programmes are also supported to improve preparedness for emerging climate-related crime patterns.
Research and Innovation Priorities
The initiative promotes the development of new analytical approaches to understand climate-crime interactions. It supports innovation in data analysis, predictive modelling, and crime mapping. It also encourages integration of technological solutions with social science perspectives.
Institutional Participation Requirements
Participation requires involvement of police authorities from Europe. Cooperation is encouraged with border guards, customs authorities, civil security agencies, Europol, and CEPOL. This ensures alignment with operational needs and training standards across EU security systems.
Interdisciplinary Approach
The programme requires integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) expertise. This ensures better understanding of societal impacts, behavioral patterns, and policy implications. It also includes consideration of gender-specific vulnerabilities in climate-related security contexts.
Funding Information
The total funding available for this topic is €8,000,000. Individual projects are expected to receive approximately €4,000,000 in support. Funding supports research, tool development, training, and cross-border collaboration activities.
Eligible Participants
Any legal entity may participate, including organizations from non-associated third countries and international organisations. All participants must meet Horizon Europe eligibility conditions. Strong emphasis is placed on collaboration between research institutions, law enforcement bodies, and technology providers.
Why This Programme Matters
Climate change is increasingly influencing crime patterns and security risks across Europe. This programme strengthens law enforcement capacity to anticipate and respond to these evolving threats. It supports safer societies by integrating environmental awareness into security and policing systems.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applications may be weakened if they focus only on environmental science without linking to law enforcement applications. Lack of police authority involvement or weak operational relevance can reduce competitiveness. Ignoring social science integration or gender dimensions may also limit impact.
Tips for a Strong Application
Strong proposals clearly connect climate change impacts with concrete law enforcement challenges. They should include operational police partners and demonstrate real-world applicability. Combining technology innovation with social science insights significantly strengthens proposals.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the goal of this programme?
To strengthen law enforcement responses to climate-related crime and security threats. - What types of crime are included?
Environmental crime, organised crime, fraud, trafficking, and disaster-related crimes. - Who can participate?
Any legal entity meeting Horizon Europe eligibility rules, including international organisations. - What is the funding amount?
€8,000,000 total, with around €4,000,000 per project. - Which agencies must be involved?
Police authorities, with cooperation from Europol, CEPOL, border guards, and customs. - Does the programme include social sciences?
Yes, SSH integration is required, including gender and societal analysis. - Why is climate change relevant to security?
It increases environmental crime, migration pressures, and social instability.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s initiative addresses the growing intersection between climate change and security threats. By strengthening law enforcement capabilities, it enables better prevention, detection, and response to climate-related crimes. The programme integrates technology, research, and social sciences to build a more resilient and adaptive security system across Europe.
For more information, visit European Commission.