Andy Burnham’s newly appointed climate adviser used report to warn of national security risk from collapsing ecosystems
The UK government still has no plans to publish an explosive report showing the national security risk from the collapse of ecosystems around the world – even after handing the key official behind the report a new advisory role.
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The report was supposed to be launched at last year’s Cop, but was suppressed by Keir Starmer’s government. The Guardian revealed – through a leak – the key contents of the report ahead of its intended launch last year, and early this year a redacted version was put out. Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary, has briefed foreign governments on the findings and the report clearly influenced Burnham’s decision to appoint Alessandri, but the report itself remains under wraps.
Burnham told Cop31 that Britain was ready to play its full part. “The message I carry here, in my first Cop as prime minister, is that the UK remains determined to reach net zero by 2050 and to work with our partners to build a clean energy future,” he said.
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Ami McCarthy, head of politics at Greenpeace UK, said of Burnham’s speech to Cop: “[It] hit the right notes, but noises offstage about a massive new oilfield and looser rules on electric cars almost drowned him out.
“Appointing the world’s first climate security envoy is a welcome move, but approving Rosebank would only increase the climate threat level to communities in Britain and around the world.
“There are so many elephants in the room, you’d think it’s a zoo. Burnham needs to start bridging the widening chasm between words and deeds on climate action.”
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