Question
Yesterday I visited the National Oceanography Centre, with the hon. Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman), to learn about the UK’s leadership in polar science, and the real highlight was that I got to meet Boaty McBoatface. Will the Minister tell us a bit more about how the FCDO is co-ordinating cross-Government work to deal with emerging climate and security threats, as well as how we can leverage the UK’s leadership in science and technology, climate finance, diplomacy and defence to that end?
Answer
I regret that I was unable to join my hon. Friend on the trip yesterday to see all of our capabilities. She is absolutely right that our climate and research work in the polar regions is vital. We are working across Government and we have updated the UK’s Arctic policy framework on a number of these matters. That framework sets out our assessment of the key developments in the region, and recognises the Arctic as an area of strategic importance that is vital for UK national security and domestic resilience. It also ensures that we are playing our part in the climate resilience of the region, making sure that our world-leading scientists are there and have the support they need to ensure we play our part in the world.12% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (32/100)
The reply only partly answers the question. On the first part, about how government co-ordinates work on climate and security threats, it says work is happening 'across Government' and points to an updated Arctic policy framework, but it does not explain how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office co-ordinates that work. On the second part, about using climate finance, diplomacy and defence to address the threats, it only refers in general terms to science leadership and polar climate resilience and gives no concrete commitments on those levers. Because the answers are largely general, the person who asked would likely need to submit a follow-up for specifics.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| How the FCDO is co-ordinating cross-Government work to deal with emerging climate and security threats | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply asserts that work is happening 'across Government' but never describes how the FCDO co-ordinates it; the substantive content is an updated Arctic policy framework, which is concrete but is a policy document rather than a description of co-ordination mechanisms for climate and security threats generally. |
| How the UK can leverage its leadership in science and technology, climate finance, diplomacy and defence to address those emerging climate and security threats | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply only gestures at science and research leadership and climate resilience in the polar regions, and says nothing concrete about leveraging climate finance, diplomacy or defence to address the threats, so the question is only partly answered. |