MPs question Nature Minister on global biodiversity loss and national security
On Wednesday the Environmental Audit Committee will question Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh MP, on the consequences of global biodiversity loss on the UK’s national security.
In January, the government published a 14-page National Security Assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security. The document warns that “global ecosystem degradation and collapse threaten UK national security and prosperity” and could lead to instability, conflict, migration and greater competition between states for resources.
Some media outlets claim to have seen a full unpublished version warning of mass migration to the UK and escalating nuclear tensions, but the government has so far not confirmed that this document exists, despite several requests from the committee.
Meeting details
MPs are likely to ask the Minister what the government is doing to collaborate across government and internationally to deal with the risks of biodiversity loss, such as rainforest collapse, for UK national security.
They are also likely to ask how cuts to aid funding will impact the government’s ability to respond, and how the assessment is informing the UK’s approach to the COP17 biodiversity conference in October.