Climate change and national security: Analysis of the New Zealand Defence White Paper 2016 and the effect climate change will have on New Zealand's national security

Abstract

Climate change is going to be a driver of regional instability and conflict, and the New Zealand Government needs to take this into account when preparing its national security plan. The New Zealand Defence White Paper 2016 has omitted any mention of climate change and this thesis has addressed the ramifications of this, as well as providing policy recommendations where the Defence White Paper 2016 could be strengthened. There are five areas in which it can be strengthened: the strategic outlook, Antarctica, the South Pacific, Humanitarian Work, and a domestic focus. Through using the Copenhagen School of Security we can identify that by naming climate change as a threat to national security, it enables us to address these threats through a securitisation of climate change. This securitisation involves, but is not limited to, reducing carbon emissions, increasing humanitarian aid, and purchasing more off-shore patrol vessels.