Abstract In response to recent geopolitical tensions, military budgets are rising across the European Union (EU). While NATO members commit to spending 2% of their gross domestic product on defence, European member states are now considering increasing this to 5% by 2035. This growing militarization will likely impact biodiversity conservation by straining financial resources and causing environmental consequences, highlighting the need for policy adjustments and mitigation strategies. Practical implication : The rise in military budgets across EU member states risks diverting funds from biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. Increased defence spending could weaken environmental policies and contribute to pollution, habitat loss, ecosystem degradation, introduction of non‐native species, and climate change. Balancing national security with conservation efforts is crucial to safeguarding Europe's natural heritage. Greener military technologies, sustainable policies, and collaborative efforts may mitigate environmental impacts while ensuring security and ecological resilience.
Sousa et al. (2025) studied this question.