»Die EU-Klimapolitik kann die Finanzkraft Russlands deutlich verringern – und damit auch seine militärische Stärke«

Faced with the dual challenges of Russia’s aggression and uncertainty around US security commitments, Europe must rethink its security architecture. This Kiel Policy Brief demonstrates that climate policy is central to this effort, as it is not a competing priority but a strategic complement to traditional security policy.

By reducing fossil fuel dependence, EU climate policy weakens Russia’s financial capacity and, thus, military strength, thereby generating a security dividend alongside its climate benefits. Our estimates suggest that this effect is substantial: a one-euro reduction in oil consumption in the EU results in a security dividend of 37 cents (central estimate). This implies that a price of 60 euros per ton of CO2 on oil consumption is justified solely based on geopolitical considerations – in addition to its climate benefit.