Climate Security 2021-05-24
2021-05-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the worsening impacts of climate change on global poverty, economic stability, and security. It also mentions that acts of nature caused 30 million new displacements last year, more than conflicts.
I am concerned about refugee organisations stating that 30 million new displacements last year were caused by floods, storms, and wildfires, triggered three times more displacements than violent conflicts did, and the number of those internally displaced worldwide hit record levels. Yet this Government have slashed foreign aid to some of the world's most vulnerable to climate-based threats. So what assessment has the Ministry of Defence made of the cuts to foreign aid, and how does it plan to address the rising threat of climate change to our own national security in the face of increasing instability across the world?
I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that the threat from climate change is indeed one of the major priorities of my colleagues in the Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office. It is also a priority of ours. As I have said, the document we published back in March sets out how we are planning for the increase in the HADR, or humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and MACA, or military assistance to civilian authorities, roles that the armed forces are going to have to take on.
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Assessment & feedback
The cuts to foreign aid were not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a build-up of military tension in the Arctic due to Russia's actions, and Russia has taken over the rotating chairmanship of the Arctic Council.
I welcome the new Minister for Defence People and Veterans. I thank the outgoing Minister for his work at the veterans office. Climate change is altering the threat picture across the globe, and not for the better. It is happening in our own back yard and on our own doorstep in the high north and in the Arctic, where we have seen a build-up of military tension because of Russia's actions. Can the Minister outline to the House exactly what the Ministry of Defence is doing with regard to the threat picture in the Arctic and the high north?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, and I know that he will have read the Command Paper in depth. He will have seen the copious references to the high north strategy and to our joint expeditionary force partners—it is good to see Iceland coming on board with that. We are acutely aware of the need to have a forward understanding and presence and to work with our allies in the high north.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific actions regarding the threat picture in the Arctic were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The defence Command Paper is seen as lacking in joined-up Government thinking on the impacts of climate change. The foreign aid budget has been cut, suggesting a lack of seriousness about the threat picture.
There is a lack of joined-up Government thinking on that. If the Government were serious about the impact that climate change is having on the threat picture, the foreign aid budget would not be getting cut and greater attention would be paid to the high north and the Arctic. What does the Ministry of Defence specifically want to get out of COP26?
COP26 is an entire-Government piece of work, and we are working with all nations around the Earth to get a whole load of deliverables out of COP26. Our commitment in terms of defence to meeting and addressing the needs of climate change was recognised on President Biden's Earth Day earlier this year, where the US Defence Secretary referred to the UK as having “raised the bar” in terms of Defence's work in this country on climate change.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific goals for COP26 were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the worsening impacts of climate change on global poverty, economic stability, and security. It also mentions that acts of nature caused 30 million new displacements last year, more than conflicts.
Refugee organisations say that 30 million new displacements last year were caused by floods, storms, and wildfires, triggered three times more displacements than violent conflicts did, and the number of those internally displaced worldwide hit record levels. Yet this Government have chosen to slash foreign aid to some of the world's most vulnerable to climate-based threats, making a complete mockery of the United Kingdom's leadership role ahead of COP26. So what assessment has the Ministry of Defence made of the cuts to foreign aid?
Climate change worsens poverty and economic stability, and poses a significant risk to global security. In our climate change and sustainability strategic approach, which I launched in March, we have laid out the extensive steps that we are taking to mitigate climate change and to address its implications.
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Assessment & feedback
The cuts to foreign aid were not directly addressed.
Response accuracy