Adapting to Climate Change in Modern Policing : The Rise of the "Eco-Cop"

Abstract

This open access brief explores the profoundly accelerating impact of climate change on law enforcement globally. Drawing on the concept of climatisation, it examines how, on one hand, rising temperatures, extreme weather events, resource scarcity, and sustainability transitions pose new challenges for the evolving role of law enforcement in a changing climate. On the other, these developments also present opportunities to adapt and transform the ways the police do policing. This book builds on the author’s earlier research into the impact of climate change on police work. It combines interdisciplinary research and 23 expert interviews to systematize current knowledge in the field. The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how climate change intersects with policing at societal, organizational, and individual levels. This volume is ideal for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working at the intersection of climate change and policing.