Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to help mitigate the national security risks identified in the nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

Nature underpins the UK’s security, prosperity and resilience and understanding the threats we face from biodiversity loss is essential to addressing them effectively. The Nature security assessment forms part of cross-government resilience planning and complements the UK’s National Security Strategy, National Risk Register and Chronic Risks Analysis. It will help the Government plan for potential shocks that are credible enough to warrant preparation.

The UK is already taking action to address the potential risks identified in the Assessment, including major investment in nature, forests and climate resilience.

Internationally, the UK is investing in forest and ocean protection and is on track to invest £11.6 billion of International Climate Finance between 2021 to 2026, including £3 billion for vital habitats such as tropical rainforests and marine ecosystems, and to support indigenous communities.

Domestically, tree planting in England is at its highest rate in over twenty years; we are restoring peatlands, improving water quality, protecting pollinators, and have introduced landmark legislation to safeguard our marine environment. The UK is strengthening supply chain resilience through the Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy and supporting food security by backing British farmers through new technology, streamlined regulation, and nature-friendly farming schemes that reward sustainable production.