UK Security Agencies Prepared Major Report On Warming Threats To National Security; Release Suddenly Delayed [View all]

The UK’s national security is under severe threat from the climate crisis and the looming collapse of vital natural ecosystems, with food shortages and economic disaster potentially just years away, a powerful report by the UK’s intelligence chiefs is due to warn. However, the report, which was supposed to launch on Thursday at a landmark event in London, has been delayed, and concerns have been expressed to the Guardian that it may have been blocked by number 10.

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Other industries will also be affected by ecosystem collapse in places such as the Amazon and by the worsening impacts of extreme weather around the world. These impacts will not be encountered far off in the future as some had complacently assumed, ministers have been told, but are already being felt and will grow in significance as temperatures rise beyond 1.5C above preindustrial levels. The hard-hitting report was to be published on Thursday at a landmark event in London. But the Guardian understands that the report, prepared by experts over many months, has been halted.

One source told the Guardian they feared it was being suppressed because the government was unwilling to face the issues raised. Overseas aid, formally known as official development assistance (ODA), which could help to stabilise countries most at risk from the climate crisis and avoid some of the impacts warned about, has been slashed. “This is a very stark warning,” another source familiar with the contents told the Guardian. “It is very clear that the impacts on national security are very worrying.”

Food is the biggest risk as the UK imports an increasing proportion of its food from overseas, some of it coming from areas known to be at risk of climate disaster and ecosystem collapse. The clothing and fashion industry is also already feeling the strain as many fabrics come from areas at risk. Migration from countries worst affected by the climate and biodiversity crises will also have an impact on society and the economy. Some of the countries worst affected are likely to see governments fall and the rise of social disorder, leading to political instability that in turn will have an impact on the UK’s security.

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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/08/national-security-threatened-climate-crisis-uk-defence-chiefs-warn