Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
UK appoints first special representative for climate security
The UK has appointed Madeleine Alessandri as its climate security representative, the first role of its kind in the world.
Alessandri chairs the Joint Intelligence Committee, which oversees MI5 and MI6.
The new job is to advise the government on national security risks from climate change.
A committee report warned that within five years, damage to ecosystems overseas could affect the UK through food shortages, higher prices, migration and conflict.
The appointment comes after the UK recorded its hottest summer, when heatwaves disrupted health services and transport and forced schools to close.
Climate campaigners say the government’s support for new fossil fuel projects undermines its climate commitments.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to announce the appointment at the UN climate summit in Turkey and will also confirm support for a proposed 2035 electrification target.
The UK government has appointed Madeleine Alessandri as the world’s first special representative for climate security.
The role is intended to advise the government on national security risks linked to the climate crisis.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to announce the appointment at the COP31 climate summit in Turkey.
Climate campaigners criticized the government over its domestic fossil fuel decisions and climate policies.
A secret report warned that climate-driven ecosystem collapse overseas could bring security impacts to the UK within five years.
- Who
- The UK government appointed Madeleine Alessandri, chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee.
- What
- The UK created a special representative role for climate security. The representative will advise the government on national security risks linked to the climate crisis.
- When
- The appointment was reported on 11 November 2026; Burnham was due to announce it on Thursday.
- Where
- The announcement is due at COP31 in Antalya, Turkey.
- Why
- The role is designed to advise the government on national security risks from the climate crisis.
UK government
Climate campaigners
Climate policy
UK government
The government says it remains determined to reach net zero by 2050 and work with partners on clean energy.
Climate campaigners
Campaigners say the government’s climate credibility is undermined by its domestic policies.
Fossil fuels
UK government
The government has approved the Jackdaw gasfield and is considering the Rosebank oilfield.
Climate campaigners
Mohamed Adow said Britain cannot promote clean development abroad while expanding fossil fuels at home.
The secret report warning of climate-related national security risks was suppressed.
The report said the UK could begin experiencing security impacts from ecosystem collapse overseas.
Burnham arrived in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of COP31 meetings.
Burnham was due to announce the appointment at the UN climate summit.
- Appointee
- Madeleine Alessandri
- Role
- Special representative for climate security
- Net-zero target
- 2050
- Electrification target
- 35% by 2035
- Clean energy finance
- £5bn in private finance
- Potential security impacts
- Food shortages, rising food prices, mass migration and conflict among nuclear-armed countries
What people are saying
The climate crisis is upon all of us now.
We can’t have Britain preaching a clean development gospel but expanding fossil fuels back at home.
The UK’s credibility was “crumbling”.