C&HSSG was created to explore non-traditional and transnational security threats and their impact on U.S. strategic, national security, and economic interests. The group serves as a focal point for information-sharing related to major global and U.S. activities, policy, and opportunities in this field.

Climate topics include domestic and international climate policy as well as topics such as infrastructure, extreme weather, energy, sea level rise, and climate-connected conflict and additional human security issues.

Key human security issues include food and water scarcity, poverty and economic inequality, economic downturns, urbanization, pandemics, humanitarian crises, migration and corresponding vulnerable population, and gender-related initiatives.