UK launches climate and nature security taskforce

October 22, 2026

The UK government has held the first meeting of its Climate and Nature Security Taskforce, bringing together experts from defence, science, academia, and industry to examine how climate change and biodiversity loss threaten national security.

The initiative aims to strengthen the country's ability to anticipate environmental risks, protect communities, and develop long-term strategies for managing the consequences of a changing climate.

The taskforce comes amid growing concerns about extreme weather, following a record-breaking hot summer in the UK and warnings about the potential global impacts of a powerful El Niño event.

With heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and flooding placing increasing pressure on infrastructure and public services, the government is seeking a more coordinated approach to climate security and national resilience.

Taskforce brings together experts in climate and national security

The independent advisory group will assess emerging environmental threats and provide recommendations to support the UK government's national and international security policies.

The taskforce is co-chaired by Katie White, Minister for Climate Transition, and Baroness Fiona Twycross. Its membership includes specialists with experience in military strategy, environmental research, international relations, and risk management.

Among the participants are:

• General Richard Nugee, bringing expertise in defence and military resilience.

• Comfort Ero, President of the International Crisis Group, contributing insights into international security and conflict prevention.

• Rosie Hails, Director of Science at the National Trust, offering expertise in biodiversity and ecosystem protection.

• Erin Sikorsky, Director at the Centre for Climate and Security, focusing on the relationship between environmental change and security risks.

By combining knowledge from different sectors, the taskforce intends to identify vulnerabilities that could undermine the UK's stability and develop practical recommendations to address them.

Extreme weather highlights growing security challenges

Recent environmental events have demonstrated how climate-related hazards can disrupt communities, damage infrastructure, and increase economic uncertainty.

The UK has experienced intense heatwaves, prolonged dry conditions, destructive wildfires, and growing concerns about flooding. These developments highlight the importance of preparing for environmental shocks rather than responding only after disasters occur.

Minister Katie White has emphasised that climate change is already affecting British households and landscapes. The destruction of homes, evacuation of residents, and damage caused by wildfires illustrate the immediate consequences of extreme weather.

The taskforce will examine how these environmental pressures could evolve and what measures are needed to protect people, essential services, and critical infrastructure.

Its work will also consider how nature loss and ecosystem degradation can intensify climate-related threats by reducing the natural systems that help regulate water, temperatures, and environmental stability.

Climate change and biodiversity loss pose wider national security risks

Environmental disruption affects far more than natural ecosystems. Climate change can influence economic stability, international relations, and the reliability of essential resources.

The taskforce will examine several interconnected security challenges, including disruptions to energy infrastructure, pressure on global supply chains, population displacement, financial instability, and increasing competition for natural resources.

For example, extreme weather can interrupt transport networks and energy supplies, while droughts and declining agricultural productivity can affect food availability and international trade.

Environmental degradation can also contribute to instability in vulnerable regions, potentially increasing humanitarian needs and migration pressures.

By assessing these connections, the UK hopes to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how climate risks and biodiversity decline could affect domestic and international security.

Taskforce to identify critical risks and policy gaps

Officially known as the National Security and Resilience Risks of a Changing Climate and Nature Loss Taskforce, the advisory body has been established to translate scientific evidence and security assessments into actionable recommendations.

Its responsibilities include identifying gaps in existing research, determining which climate and nature-related threats require the greatest attention, and evaluating the effectiveness of current government policies.

The group will also review how the UK is responding to environmental risks beyond its borders, recognising that international climate disruption can have significant domestic consequences.

A central objective is to ensure that available evidence informs government decisions on infrastructure investment, emergency preparedness, environmental protection, and long-term resilience planning.

General Richard Nugee has described the initiative as an opportunity to improve Britain's preparedness for future environmental shocks.

Erin Sikorsky has similarly highlighted the growing connection between climate change and security, stressing the importance of identifying investments that can reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience.

Strengthening the UK's position in global climate security

Alongside identifying threats, the taskforce will explore opportunities for the UK to improve its strategic capabilities and contribute to international efforts addressing environmental security.

This could involve strengthening cooperation with international partners, improving risk assessment methods, and identifying areas where British expertise can support climate adaptation and resilience.

The advisory group will also consider how the country can better protect critical systems against environmental disruption while supporting broader global security objectives.

By integrating climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, and national security planning, the initiative seeks to encourage a more coordinated response to interconnected environmental challenges.

Taskforce meetings and expected recommendations in 2026

The Climate and Nature Security Taskforce is scheduled to hold up to two meetings during 2026, under the leadership of Katie White and Baroness Fiona Twycross.

These discussions will assess existing government responses to climate change and nature loss, identify priority areas for improvement, and help shape recommendations for strengthening national preparedness.

The taskforce's findings are expected to inform future policy discussions on environmental security, resilience investment, and the protection of communities and infrastructure.

As climate-related hazards become increasingly complex, the initiative reflects a growing recognition that environmental resilience is closely connected to national security.

By bringing together scientific knowledge, defence expertise, and policy analysis, the UK aims to improve its ability to anticipate emerging threats and respond more effectively to the long-term consequences of climate change and biodiversity loss.