Recommendation 17

In a theme becoming far too recurrent in JCNSS reports, we have found that the Government has very little grip on a critical national security risk. Climate risks have previously been categorised as Tier 1 national security risks, but a grave lack of ministerial responsibility and accountability has left a gaping hole at the centre of Government on this pressing future risk to UK CNI. The Government has broadly Readiness for storms ahead? Critical national infrastructure in an age of climate change 53 accepted that these shortfalls exist, with its latest climate change risk assessment finding that its actions on climate adaptation have not been sufficient, and that a “lack of clarity on ownership of risks and responses” has exacerbated this situation.