UK foreign secretary warns climate crisis threatens global security at Cop31

The Guardian reported that UK foreign secretary Ed Miliband will tell world leaders at the Cop31 UN climate summit in Turkey that the national security of all countries is at risk from the climate crisis. He is expected to argue that "science fiction" scenarios of widespread destruction are already coming true and that economic shocks from fossil fuels are now the norm rather than the exception. Miliband plans to frame security and defence objectives as the new "frontier" of climate action, warning that rapid heating of the planet could trigger food shortages, economic disruption, migration and conflict. The briefing comes as delegates gather in Turkey for the summit, where the link between climate change and security is expected to shape discussions. By positioning climate impacts as a defence issue, the UK hopes to push for stronger international cooperation and policy responses at the conference.

Why it matters

The warning positions climate change as a direct threat to global stability, which could shift how governments prioritize climate policies at the UN summit.

Key details

Location

United Kingdom · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

11 Nov 2026, 14:39 IST

Key names

Ed Miliband, UK, Cop, Turkey

Section

Environment

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianEd Miliband says national security of all countries at risk from climate crisis 11 Nov, 14:39

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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