Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions has he had with counterparts in (a) NATO and (b) the Arctic Council in the last 12 months on the security implications of climate change on the Arctic region.

The UK agrees with NATO’s aim to be the leading international organisation in understanding, mitigating against and adapting to the impacts of climate change on security. In 2021 the UK and NATO Allies negotiated and agreed a NATO Agenda on Climate Change and Security and accompanying Action Plan, which contain concrete actions to tackle the implications of climate change on Alliance security. The Defence Secretary discussed this further with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during COP26. The UK also greatly values its role as a state observer to the Arctic Council. As the Arctic Council does not discuss matters of military security, the Defence Secretary has not engaged with the Council on the security implications of climate change on the Arctic region. The Defence Secretary routinely discusses a range of security matters with his counterparts in most of the Arctic States, including how we can work with Allies and partners to ensure the Arctic remains a region characterised by high cooperation and low tensions.