A former senior British military commander has warned that climate change is now a core national security risk, during a public event at the Villa Marina this week.
Lt Gen (Retd) Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE, former Chief of Defence People at the UK Ministry of Defence, was invited to the island by the Lieutenant Governor, who opened the session.
Drawing on his authorship of the MoD’s landmark climate report and his role at the UK’s National Emergency Briefing, he outlined how climate‑driven pressures on food, water, energy, the economy and the environment are already shaping global stability.
People’s Emergency Briefing
The event, part of the People’s Emergency Briefing series, combined scientific evidence with contributions from UK experts in climate science, food security, public health and economics, alongside reflections from public figures and members of the community.
A panel discussion explored how global risks translate into local impacts for the Isle of Man, including infrastructure, supply chains and community resilience.
Lt Gen Nugee said climate change “is not an abstract environmental issue” but a threat that requires early, collective action to protect everyday life.
Environment Minister Clare Barber MHK said: “It was a thought-provoking evening, and I am grateful to everyone who took part and engaged so openly with the issues raised. While the evidence presented was sobering, it also reinforced that the Isle of Man is on the right path.
“Acting on our climate change commitments represents a genuine opportunity for the island to address the wider geopolitical risks of an increasingly volatile world, and events like this help our community understand why acting on them matters.”
The event was organised by the National Emergency Briefing in partnership with Net Zero Isle of Man, with further public screenings planned.
