The impacts of climate change pose major challenges to the security and well-being of people everywhere through instability in key resources. Many governments, the EU, and the UN are focussed on security challenges of climate change as threats to their economic interests, their food and water resources, and even to their borders. But security encompasses multiple dimensions – human security concerns whether individuals and societies have the resources, the ability and the freedom to adapt to threats imposed by climate change. The Tyndall Centre has increasingly focussed on the security implications of climate change to inform scientific priorities and policy responses to enhancing development and promoting sustainable routes to adaptation to climate change impacts.

With greater focus, security issues of climate change, particularly concerning water, food, human security and human health, will be a central scientific focus for examining responses to all environmental challenges.