Calls to establish climate change intelligence unit

Hot temperatures will make parts of the Northern Territory unliveable, a retired defence chief says. (Tracey Nearmy/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia is failing to give enough consideration to how climate change will impact food and water security and change the strategic environment in the future, senior former defence and security leaders say.

The Australian Security Leaders Climate Group has called for the government to release a declassified version of a security assessment conducted by the Office of National Assessment in 2022 about the risk of climate change.

The Northern Territory is one place where climate change will impact the nature of a conflict, with increasing temperatures and humidity making parts of it unliveable for most of the year, former Australian Defence Force chief Chris Barrie said.

"This is just one example of climate being missing in action in security analysis," the retired admiral said.

"Even the US defence secretary describes climate as an ‘existential’ risk, something he does not say about the supposed ‘China threat’ which consumes our security establishment."

Former chief of Australian Defence Force Chris Barrie
Chris Barrie described climate as being missing in action in the nation's security analysis.

The group - which also includes former deputy airforce chief John Blackburn and former Defence Department director Cheryl Durrant - has called on the government to establish a dedicated climate threat intelligence unit.

The unit would present annual and declassified briefings to parliament.

It also wants new laws to address catastrophic risk management and a national resilience framework to address emergencies across areas such as energy, water, logistics, health, agriculture and industry.

"Climate deserves much more than a mere cameo role on the stage of global security," Mr Barrie said.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store