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To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy report, Readiness for storms ahead? Critical national infrastructure in an age of climate change, published on 27 October, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of appointing a...
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy report, Readiness for storms ahead? Critical national infrastructure in an age of climate change, published on 27 October, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of appointing a...
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster confirmed during Cabinet Office Orals and Topicals on 27 October that both the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and myself are Ministers for resilience. The resilience portfolio includes working with the lead government departments for the Critical National Infrastructure sectors.
We will respond to the JCNSS report in full in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prevent climate conflict around the world.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prevent climate conflict around the world.
The 2021 Integrated Review reasserts the Government's commitment to be a force for good in the world and outlines how the UK will continue to play a leading international role in conflict resolution and prevention and seeking multilateral solutions to climate change. A commitment that will be achieved by integrating foreign, security, defence and development policies (or the '3Ds' Development, Diplomacy and Defence).
The Ministry of Defence acknowledges climate change as a threat multiplier. It is already reshaping the global security landscape and amplifying many traditional security challenges whilst giving rise to new ones. Our response focuses on training across Defence, strengthening our understanding of threats and embedding analysis into strategy and capability decisions to enable planning for the changing environmental and security context.
In parallel, we are working across Government on the related diplomacy and development aspects of the Government's commitment and with international allies and partners to inform and strengthen our joint response.
Defence's analysis of the long-term future impacts of climate change signalled the need to build resilience, including through reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. As such, we are seeking to further drive down direct emissions, invest in renewables and embed energy efficiency measures, we must ensure we preserve our Operational Capabilities to remain effective and responsive in a climate changed world.
The Right Hon. Gentleman may also be interested in our Strategic approach to Climate Change which I published in March 2021 and can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-climate-change-and-sustainability-strategic-approach
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the report entitled Climate Change UK Nuclear Military, published by Dr Paul Dorfman, Nuclear Consulting Group in September 2021, what assessment he has made of the risk of the nuclear submarine base at HMNB Devonport being regularly underwater due...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the report entitled Climate Change UK Nuclear Military, published by Dr Paul Dorfman, Nuclear Consulting Group in September 2021, what assessment he has made of the risk of the nuclear submarine base at HMNB Devonport being regularly underwater due...
We closely monitor and track potential risks to our infrastructure, including from flooding, both now and in the future.
We are aware of the content of this report, which is based on a worst-case scenario. The Ministry of Defence invests significant resources to regularly assure protection against all possible threats and we have absolute confidence in our robust measures to keep our submarines safe and secure.
In terms of future proofing, HM Naval Base Devonport has an extant Climate Infrastructure Risk Assessment that has modelled the potential impact of climate change on sea defences and site infrastructure. This has been independently validated by Ministry of Defence specialists and the Assessment concludes that HMNB Devonport's Sea Defences are adequate to meet potential sea level changes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what dates meetings have taken place as part of the Global Air Chiefs Climate Change Initiative since its launch by the Chief of the Air Staff.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what dates meetings have taken place as part of the Global Air Chiefs Climate Change Initiative since its launch by the Chief of the Air Staff.
Since the launch of the Global Air Chiefs Climate Change Initiative in July 2021, the following meetings have taken place:
19 October 2021 - Deputy Chiefs' Meeting, led by the Royal Air Force;
30 November 2021 - Mission Planning and Execution working group meeting, led by the United States Air Force.
The 19 October meeting hosted by the RAF brought together participants from 41 different nations both in person and virtually.
A number of workstrands have been developed with further meetings planned in 2022.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 22 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, what progress he has made on developing a set of defence climate assumptions for capability development.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 22 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, what progress he has made on developing a set of defence climate assumptions for capability development.
Work is ongoing to deliver the activities covered in the strategic approach published in March. Our capability development processes already consider a broad set of environmental factors from the Development Concepts and Doctrine Centre research and analysis into climate change trends, and the implications from such, as part of their Global Strategic Trends (GST) series; to the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee now considering climate change and sustainability factors in the requirements setting.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 20 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, whether discussions have taken place between his officials and suppliers to identify ways to reduce emissions in the supply chain.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 20 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, whether discussions have taken place between his officials and suppliers to identify ways to reduce emissions in the supply chain.
The Department has regular engagements with its suppliers to build wider understanding on Defence’s approach to Net Zero, its current emission footprint and quantification methodology. Discussions are ongoing with the Defence supply chain to assess extant decarbonisation opportunities.
Defence is able to evaluate the contribution suppliers make to sustainability as part of the competitive tender process under the Government's Social Value policy. As part of the cross Government approach, with effect from 30 September this year, the Ministry of Defence requires suppliers to publish their 'net zero' commitment as part of their carbon reduction plan as a pre-requisite to being able to bid for procurements advertised under the Public Contract Regulations. Very active consideration is being given to extend this to apply to procurements conducted under the Defence and Security Public Contract Regulations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 22 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach, published on 30 March 2021, what progress he has made on developing a set of defence climate assumptions for capability development.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 22 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach, published on 30 March 2021, what progress he has made on developing a set of defence climate assumptions for capability development.
Work is ongoing to deliver the activities covered in the strategic approach. Our capability development processes already consider a broad set of environmental factors from the Development Concepts and Doctrine Centre research and analysis into climate change trends, and the implications from such, as part of their Global Strategic Trends series; to the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee now considering climate change and sustainability factors in the requirements setting.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 14 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, what steps his Department has taken to improve the self-sufficiency of UK bases and camps on operational deployments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 14 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, what steps his Department has taken to improve the self-sufficiency of UK bases and camps on operational deployments.
The Ministry of Defence is developing tailored site decarbonisation plans which incorporate renewable energy generation and storage in order to build resilience.
This follows the successful collaboration with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and their Modern Energy Partners (MEP) Initiative which saw a number of pilot projects taken forward across the UK Defence estate.
Defence continues to learn from our experience of building self-sufficiency into UK bases to apply to potential future overseas Camps and deliver this in line with the Strategic Approach.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 13 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, what steps he has taken to implement a climate lens into force development processes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 13 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, what steps he has taken to implement a climate lens into force development processes.
Climate change is routinely considered throughout our force development process, from horizon scanning and wargaming, through to setting the requirements for major programmes. This ensures that we can anticipate and adapt to the challenges, and requirements, of a changing climate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 21 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, what progress he has made in establishing an adequately resourced head office team whose activities are governed at the highest levels of defence...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 21 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, what progress he has made in establishing an adequately resourced head office team whose activities are governed at the highest levels of defence...
The new Director of Climate Change and Sustainability was formally appointed in September 2021 and the majority of the directorate have been appointed and should be in post this year. The Terms of Reference of the MOD's Defence Safety and Environment Committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, have been amended to better reflect the significance of climate change and sustainability.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 21 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, when his Department plans to appoint a sustainability non-executive director.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 21 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, when his Department plans to appoint a sustainability non-executive director.
Lt Gen (Rtd) Nugee was appointed as the Non-Executive Director with a particular focus on Climate Change and Sustainability on 1 March 2021.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 16 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, what steps he has taken to change defence’s land management practices to protect the environment to ensure carbon offset and improve biodiversity and...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 16 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, what steps he has taken to change defence’s land management practices to protect the environment to ensure carbon offset and improve biodiversity and...
Work is ongoing to deliver all of the activities covered in the strategic approach with delivery plans working to the timelines set out in the Initial Action Plan. The MOD is currently undertaking a phased Natural Capital assessment to better understand the existing assets and potential for the defence estate to sequester carbon and enhance biodiversity.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 22 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, how many test and trial sites have been established on the tenanted estate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 22 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, how many test and trial sites have been established on the tenanted estate.
Following consultations with DEFRA over their proposed Environmental Land Management (ELMs) scheme, MOD has identified two dedicated test and trial site locations at Catterick and Salisbury Plain East. This will involve 20 farmers at both sites (40 in total) .
Subject to confirmation of funding and final approval from both MOD and DEFRA, the trial is planned to commence before the end of 2021 and conclude by February 2023.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 14 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, how much of the £6.6 billion allocated to defence R&D over the next four years he plans to spend on improving suitability and...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 14 of his Department’s Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach published on 30 March 2021, how much of the £6.6 billion allocated to defence R&D over the next four years he plans to spend on improving suitability and...
Work is ongoing to deliver all of the activities covered in the strategic approach with delivery plans working to the timelines set out in the Initial Action Plan. The impact of Climate Change is being considered within these activities and includes spend looking at "improving suitability and equipping the armed forces for a climate-changed world between +2â° and 4â°C" across a range of capabilities and Defence Lines of Development. Due to the disaggregation of this funding, it is not possible to state exactly how much of the £6.6billion R&D budget is allocated specifically to this task.
What steps he is taking to improve climate security.
What steps he is taking to improve climate security.
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.
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.
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.
What steps he is taking to improve climate security.
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. I know we are all proud to see the work of our armed forces as they rise to those challenges and help some of the poorest people in the world to meet the challenges of their daily lives. We will continue to support them in doing so.
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. I know we are all proud to see the work of our armed forces as they rise to those challenges and help some of the poorest people in the world to meet the challenges of their daily lives. We will continue to support them in doing so.
I thank the Minister for that answer. Refugee organisations say that 30 million new displacements last year were caused by floods, storms and wildfires. Acts of nature such as these triggered three times more displacements than violent conflicts did last year, and the number of those internally displaced worldwide hit the highest levels on record, 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, 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 thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, and I know that, being the person he is, 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. The First Sea Lord and ourselves have mentioned on many occasions the impact of changing ice presence in the far north and how we need to rise to that threat. We are always alive to these threats and we are always working to ensure that we are prepared for them, but I would also gently remind the hon. Gentleman that, ultimately, our defence is a combination of all the assets we have, including our commitment to a strategic nuclear deterrent.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, and I know that, being the person he is, 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. The First Sea Lord and ourselves have mentioned on many occasions the impact of changing ice presence in the far north and how we need to rise to that threat. We are always alive to these threats and we are always working to ensure that we are prepared for them, but I would also gently remind the hon. Gentleman that, ultimately, our defence is a combination of all the assets we have, including our commitment to a strategic nuclear deterrent.
I, too, welcome the new Minister for Defence People and Veterans, the hon. Member for Aldershot (Leo Docherty), to his place on the Government Front Bench. I also thank the outgoing Minister, the hon. Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Johnny Mercer), for all the work he did 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. Russia has, of course, just taken over the rotating chairmanship of the Arctic Council. 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, and explain to the House why that area of the world should get less attention than the Indo-Pacific tilt?
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, as the hon. Gentleman well knows. Our commitment in terms of defence to meeting and addressing the needs of climate change was, I am pleased to say, recognised on President Biden’s Earth Day earlier this year, which my right hon. Friend addressed, 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. We are alert to the need, and I would recommend to the hon. Gentleman the document we published earlier this year on our climate change and sustainability strategic approach. He will find a lot of his thinking in that document.
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, as the hon. Gentleman well knows. Our commitment in terms of defence to meeting and addressing the needs of climate change was, I am pleased to say, recognised on President Biden’s Earth Day earlier this year, which my right hon. Friend addressed, 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. We are alert to the need, and I would recommend to the hon. Gentleman the document we published earlier this year on our climate change and sustainability strategic approach. He will find a lot of his thinking in that document.
The Minister rightly mentions the defence Command Paper, which comes on the back of the integrated review. As my hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill (Steven Bonnar) has just outlined, 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, yes, greater attention would be paid to the high north and the Arctic, so can the Minister just answer a simple question? What does the Ministry of Defence specifically want to get out of COP26?
What recent assessment he has made of the effect of the international climate emergency on UK defence preparedness.
What recent assessment he has made of the effect of the international climate emergency on UK defence preparedness.
The Ministry of Defence recognises that climate change is already having an impact on Defence. A review is ongoing to assess the wider implications and to identify actions needed to enable defence to operate at full potential in an increasingly challenging security and physical environment.
What recent assessment he has made of the effect of the climate emergency on UK defence preparedness.
What recent assessment he has made of the effect of the climate emergency on UK defence preparedness.
The Department recognises that climate change is already having a potential impact on Defence. A review is ongoing to assess the strategic implications and how these can be best addressed.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has employed Boston Consulting Group in relation to Government preparations for the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has employed Boston Consulting Group in relation to Government preparations for the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties.
Boston Consulting Group is providing pro-bono strategic project support to the COP26 Unit.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government is requesting that international governments submit their Nationally Determined Contributions ahead of COP26 in November.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government is requesting that international governments submit their Nationally Determined Contributions ahead of COP26 in November.
At the UN Climate Action Summit in September the Prime Minister called on all countries to increase their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). As part of our incoming COP Presidency, we are encouraging all countries to submit increased NDCs ahead of COP26 which represent their highest possible ambition. The UK will play its part and come forward with an enhanced NDC well ahead of COP26.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will produce a report on progress made towards COP26.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will produce a report on progress made towards COP26.
COP26 is a priority for this Government. We have established a dedicated unit, in the Cabinet Office, to deliver the event and draw together all related UK policy.
The Unit is focused on operational delivery and developing policy goals.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effect of climate change on the work of his Department; and what steps he is taking in response to that effect.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effect of climate change on the work of his Department; and what steps he is taking in response to that effect.
The UK is a world leader in cutting emissions while growing the economy, and has set an ambitious net zero target which will require transformation across the economy.
Tackling climate change is a priority for the whole of government, which is why the Prime Minister has set up the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change. This committee will hold departments to account for their actions to combat climate change and oversee the UK’s preparations to host the COP26 summit.
The Government is leading from the front, and delivering on the Greening Government Commitments. Cabinet Office monitors and reports performance against these Commitments through the annual publication of the State of the Estate Report. The Report describes the size and cost, efficiency of use and sustainability of property for central government buildings.