Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Climate Change and Human Security

03 November 2022 · 5 other contributors · 11,876 words

Opened by Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

Responding minister: Graham Stuart

ClimateCommunity Security

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Wera Hobhouse raised concerns about climate change and human security in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Ms Hobhouse raised concerns about the urgent need to integrate climate change into national security strategies, citing potential catastrophic outcomes from missing net zero targets.
  • She called on the Government to announce an action plan backed by a 150 billion public investment programme to achieve net zero targets and to re-establish a dedicated Department for Energy and Climate Change.
  • The Minister acknowledged the contributions from MPs and announced plans to double international climate finance to 11.6 billion between 2021-2026.

Key requests to Government

Ms Hobhouse calls on the Government to announce an action plan backed by a £150 billion public investment programme to achieve net zero targets. She also asks for the re-establishment of a dedicated Department for Energy and Climate Change, along with a Cabinet chief secretary for sustainability to coordinate all government activity in response to climate change.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

Ms Hobhouse is concerned about the urgent need to integrate climate change into national security strategies. She highlights that missing net zero targets would lead to catastrophic outcomes such as rising sea levels, resource loss, increased conflict, poverty, malnutrition, and gender inequality, potentially displacing 1.2 billion people by 2050. She points out that since 1970, global surface temperatures have risen at an unprecedented rate, leading to a significant increase in floods and wildfires. The recent heatwave in the UK was made at least ten times more likely due to climate change, according to scientific studies. Additionally, she mentions the threat of increased national security risks from hostile actors due to energy insecurity.

Other contributors (5)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon highlighted the confusion over the Prime Minister's attendance at COP27 and expressed appreciation for the government's commitment to climate change promises. He emphasized that Northern Ireland has faced multiple extreme weather events, such as a 16 cm rise in sea levels since the start of the 20th century and regular flooding. He mentioned the impact on planning policies, food security due to imports, and the need for international cooperation. Shannon also raised concerns about climate change exacerbating tensions and violence in Nigeria, affecting minority groups.

  • Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East

    Discussed the need for a quicker shift towards renewables to ensure energy security, highlighted the impact of climate change on financial systems and insurance companies, emphasised opportunities in clean power despite challenges, and stressed the importance of adaptation measures and financing for vulnerable countries at COP27. She inquired about the current position regarding a ban on onshore wind, given statements made during the leadership campaign by the new Prime Minister. She also asked who would chair the Climate Action Implementation Committee following the Prime Minister's removal from this role.

  • Patrick Grady SNP Glasgow North

    Mr Patrick Grady discussed the impact of climate change on global security and development goals, emphasizing that climate change is undermining progress in poverty eradication, gender equality, education, and health. He highlighted the need for continued efforts to make real commitments towards mitigation and adaptation measures at COP27. Grady also addressed the increasing instability caused by resource scarcity and food insecurity due to climate change, particularly mentioning conflicts such as those in Tigray, Ethiopia.

  • Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth

    The hon. Member queried the UK Government's insufficient investment in renewable energy, suggesting it has hindered a human security approach to climate change. He also highlighted that Russia profited from £4.5 billion of energy exports to the UK last year, which emboldened its state-centric view of security and contributed to climate change.

  • Stewart McDonald SNP Argyll and Bute

    I am concerned about the impact of climate change on human security in rural areas, highlighting the need for more robust policies to address flooding and extreme weather events. The MP expressed concern over the lack of serious attention given to climate security in Parliament, highlighting the Prime Minister's reluctance to attend COP27 and criticizing the absence of a dedicated ministerial response. He emphasized the importance of integrating climate change into broader national security strategies, citing Sweden as an example with its 'total defence concept.' McDonald stressed the need for comprehensive treaties between NATO and the EU, recognizing the role of the global south in addressing climate issues. He questioned the Minister's credibility, noting that the COP presidency has been demoted from the Cabinet and that he himself was removed from the Cabinet. He argued that these facts are not disinformation but truth.

Government Response

Graham Stuart

Acknowledged contributions from various MPs and praised the UK's progress in reducing emissions faster than other major economies. Discussed the need for all energy sources, including nuclear power, to achieve clean baseload. Mentioned global challenges such as extreme weather events impacting human security. Highlighted the importance of COP27 and COP15 for scaling up adaptation efforts. Announced plans to double international climate finance to £11.6 billion between 2021-2026. Emphasised the role of every Department in achieving net zero through interdepartmental committees.

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