Royal Netherlands Army | Chief of Defence
In his work, Tom Middendorp experienced how climate change is already a risk multiplier. To him, it is clear that climate change is also a matter of national security and that the security sector has a role to play when it comes to mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars.
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General (ret.) Tom Middendorp began his military career in 1979 at the Royal Military Academy in Breda and graduated in 1983 as an Officer in the Engineer Corps. Over the course of 38 years, he held leadership positions at all levels within the Dutch Ministry of Defence, including multiple operational deployments to Afghanistan, where he led a large multinational task force in 2009. As Director of Operations, he was involved in approximately 20 international missions, providing him with deep insights into the dynamics behind numerous conflicts. Subsequently, as Commander of the Armed Forces (2012-2017), he led the Dutch military through a period of significant budget cuts and reforms, successfully reversing 40 years of austerity measures.
Middendorp gained global recognition as the “Climate General” by being the first active-serving military officer to highlight the link between climate change and security, sparking an important debate at leading security conferences like Halifax and the Munich Security Conference. He is now a highly sought-after speaker and panelist at (inter)national forums, where he applies his unique security expertise to address geopolitical shifts and the impact of climate change on our security and resilience.
As the founder and chairman of the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS), he plays a leading role in uniting global military leaders and scientific institutions around climate-related security challenges. He is also a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Clingendael Institute, a Strategic Security Expert at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, and a Special Envoy for European Defence Cooperation.
During the COVID crisis, he introduced rapid testing in the Netherlands and led a unique public-private partnership in collaboration with VNO/NCW, tripling national testing capacity in just two months. His book Klimaatgeneraal (Climate General) was released in 2022 and translated into English and French in 2023, followed by a three-part documentary. In 2024, he published Vredesparadox (The Peace Paradox), outlining the major changes ahead and emphasizing the need to strengthen our resilience in preparation for the new era now unfolding. Thanks to his efforts, NATO, the EU, and an increasing number of companies have recognized climate change as a crucial factor for geopolitical stability, supply chains, and markets.
We are living in an era of fundamental shifts. The technological revolution, climate change, increasing resource scarcity, and geopolitical tensions are putting pressure on our way of life and business. Where countries and companies once relied on stable international dependencies, these are now turning into vulnerabilities. The battle for resources is intensifying, supply chains are disrupted by pandemics and climate change, and economic dependencies are being leveraged as geopolitical tools.
Tom Middendorp shows how these global developments translate into concrete risks and opportunities. How can companies and governments protect themselves against an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical landscape? How do we ensure we are not pawns in international power struggles but maintain control?
With his deep knowledge of security, strategy, and international cooperation, Tom offers not only sharp analysis but also actionable perspectives. He helps organizations look ahead, adapt, and build strategic resilience in a world that is becoming less predictable.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue but a powerful driver of geopolitical instability and security risks. Droughts, floods, and extreme weather disrupt fragile regions, destabilize global supply chains, and amplify migration and extremism. The struggle for scarce resources and energy intensifies, while countries and companies become increasingly vulnerable to these changes.
Widely known as the “Climate General,” Tom compellingly demonstrates how climate change affects our security and how organizations—from businesses to governments—can prepare for its consequences. He discusses the changing roles of institutions like the EU and NATO and offers an inspiring vision for innovative solutions. How can we reduce dependencies, become more self-sufficient, and at the same time strengthen our strategic position?
With compelling real-world examples, Tom shows how innovation and new forms of collaboration are key to a more sustainable and resilient future. His lecture is not only an analysis of the risks but, above all, a call to action: how can we invest in sustainability today to emerge stronger tomorrow?
In a world of increasing uncertainty and unexpected crises, adaptability is crucial. How do we ensure that organizations don’t just react to disruptions but come out stronger? How do we lead in times of change and unpredictability?
Tom knows better than anyone how to switch between stability and crisis. As a military leader, he was accustomed to operating in extremely dynamic conditions. During the COVID crisis, he brought government and business together in a unique public-private partnership, tripling national testing capacity in just two months.
In this lecture, Tom shares his insights into leadership under pressure and change management in complex environments. How do you make decisions without having a full picture? How do you create support for change? How do you integrate multiple disciplines to build effective collaborations and engage stakeholders in the transformation? With concrete real-world examples, he shows how organizations can build resilience and act effectively in a world that is becoming increasingly unpredictable.
Success from the past offers no guarantee for the future. In a world that is changing ever more rapidly, organizations cannot afford to merely react—they must think ahead and act proactively. Yet, major changes continue to surprise us, pushing us from crisis to crisis. How do we break this pattern?
Tom shows how innovation and cooperation form the key to a resilient and future-proof strategy. As a military leader, he learned to draw lessons from the past without becoming blind to preparing for the last war. By forging new alliances and embracing groundbreaking innovations, businesses and governments can maintain control over an unpredictable future.
With inspiring examples from practice, Tom illustrates how smart collaborations—both locally and internationally—make organizations stronger and more agile. Whether it’s technological innovations, public-private partnerships, or strategic coalitions, he provides actionable insights to help take control and be prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
Pleasant, thoughtful, and a passionate speaker
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Tom’s great strength is his ability to make abstract concepts tangible while also providing his audience with actionable insights.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars.
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