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Comprehensive Security: The Opportunities and Challenges of Incorporating Environmental Threats in Security Policy

Author

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  • Helmi Räisänen

    (Environmental Policy Research Group (EPRG), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland / Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), University of Helsinki, Finland / Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland)

  • Emma Hakala

    (Global Security Programme, Finnish Institute of International Affairs, Finland / Erik Castrén Institute, Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki, Finland / BIOS Research Unit, Helsinki, Finland)

  • Jussi T. Eronen

    (Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), University of Helsinki, Finland / Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland / BIOS Research Unit, Helsinki, Finland)

  • Janne I. Hukkinen

    (Environmental Policy Research Group (EPRG), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland / Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), University of Helsinki, Finland)

  • Mikko J. Virtanen

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland)

Abstract

In security and foreign policy discourse, environmental issues have been discussed increasingly as security threats that require immediate action. Yet, as the traditional security sector does not provide straightforward means to deal with climate change and other environmental issues, this has prompted concerns over undue securitisation and ill-placed extreme measures. We argue that an effective policy to address foreseeable environmental security threats can only be developed and maintained by ensuring that it remains resolutely within the domain of civil society. In this article, we consider the case of Finland, where the policy concept of comprehensive security has been presented as the official guideline for security and preparedness activities in different sectors. Comprehensive security aims to safeguard the vital functions of society through cooperation between authorities, business operators, organisations, and citizens. We analyse the opportunities and challenges of Finland’s comprehensive security policy in addressing environmental changes through a three-level framework of local, geopolitical and structural security impacts. Our empirical evidence is based on a set of expert interviews (n = 40) that represent a wide range of fields relevant to unconventional security issues. We find that the Finnish comprehensive security model provides an example of a wide and inclusive perspective to security which would allow for taking into account environmental security concerns. However, due to major challenges in the implementation of the model, it does not fully incorporate the long-term, cross-sectoral, and cascading aspects of environmental threats. This weakens Finland’s preparedness against climate change which currently poses some of the most urgent environmental security problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Helmi Räisänen & Emma Hakala & Jussi T. Eronen & Janne I. Hukkinen & Mikko J. Virtanen, 2021. "Comprehensive Security: The Opportunities and Challenges of Incorporating Environmental Threats in Security Policy," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 91-101.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v9:y:2021:i:4:p:91-101
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v9i4.4389
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. F. Chapin & Steward Pickett & Mary Power & Robert Jackson & David Carter & Clifford Duke, 2011. "Earth stewardship: a strategy for social–ecological transformation to reverse planetary degradation," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 1(1), pages 44-53, March.
    2. Melissa K. Griffith, 2018. "A comprehensive security approach: bolstering Finnish cybersecurity capacity," Journal of Cyber Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(3), pages 407-429, September.
    3. Emma Hakala & Ville Lähde & Antti Majava & Tero Toivanen & Tere Vadén & Paavo Järvensivu & Jussi T. Eronen, 2019. "A Lot of Talk, But Little Action—The Blind Spots of Nordic Environmental Security Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-14, April.
    4. Emma Hakala & Ville Lähde & Antti Majava & Tero Toivanen & Tere Vadén & Paavo Järvensivu & Jussi T. Eronen, 2019. "Northern Warning Lights: Ambiguities of Environmental Security in Finland and Sweden," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-15, April.
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