Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that it is ready to respond to potential emergency events caused by climate change.

Civil authorities and emergency services provide the first response to crises, emergencies and/or major incidents within the UK. Other Government Departments or civil authorities request military assistance when they require additional or niche capabilities. The Ministry of Defence engages closely with other Government Departments to ensure that Defence is prepared to provide appropriate, timely and effective military support at the local, regional and national level to potential emergency events such as extreme weather.

The policy and doctrine for military aid to civil authorities can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2015-to-2020-government-policy-military-aid-to-the-civil-authorities-for-activities-in-the-uk/2015-to-2020-government-policy-military-aid-to-the-civil-authorities-for-activities-in-the-uk

Previous support includes flood mitigation during the Thames Valley flood in 2013-14; flood relief efforts across the north of England following Storms Desmond and Eva in December 2015/January 2016 and more recently, the period of extreme cold and snow in February/March 2018.