Social Sciences for Environmental Security

The Social Sciences for Environmental Security program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is designed to support applied research at the intersection of physical climate science and social science to address emerging environmental security challenges. The primary goal of this program is to build sustainable and long-term advantages for the Department of Defense (DoD) by anticipating and preparing for the security effects of climate and environmental change. This initiative recognizes that climate change can impact the full range of military operating environments and that traditional DoD capabilities may not be fully aligned with the evolving environmental and geopolitical landscape.

A key objective of the program is to fund interdisciplinary science and technology efforts that integrate climate modeling, forecasting, and social science research. The aim is to develop decision support tools that enable operational planners to adapt to complex and interconnected security and stability challenges posed by climate change. By leveraging both physical and social science expertise, the program seeks to provide Combatant Commands with actionable insights to engage partners and allies, plan for risk mitigation, and promote global peace and stability.

The main budget line within this program is focused on translating strategic research into operationally relevant planning scenarios. It builds upon the findings of previous research initiatives, emphasizing end-user defined mission priorities, geographic focus, and timescale requirements. The objective is to forecast local and regional climate and environmental effects, assess societal impacts, and provide technically relevant scenarios for inclusion in Contingency Plans, Operational Plans, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance requirements.

This effort specifically aims to accelerate the transition from research to operations by integrating physical climate data with social, cultural, behavioral, and political analysis. This integration is intended to inform warfighter training and planning, enabling the DoD to anticipate and respond more effectively to climate-driven risks in strategically important regions. The program also seeks to rapidly produce tools and products that support data-informed planning and analysis for operational engagements with partners and allies.

In terms of budget justification, the program supports studies, investigations, and technology development efforts that address general military needs, with a focus on evaluating the feasibility and practicality of proposed solutions. The research is not system-specific but is intended to inform broader operational and strategic planning across the DoD. The program's funding history shows a decrease in FY 2026, with the termination of certain efforts due to a shift in agency priorities and reforms related to climate, energy, and installation resilience programs.

The program's acquisition strategy is not applicable, as the focus is on research and development rather than procurement of specific systems. There are no other program funding summaries or acquisition details provided, indicating that the effort is primarily research-driven and intended to support the development of knowledge products and decision support tools for operational use.