The climate crisis is a national security challenge Australia must meet
8 September 2025, Canberra
GMACCC member Admiral (Ret’d) Chris Barrie, former Australian Defence Force chief and executive member of the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group was quoted in a Defence Connect article on 8 September 2025 as saying that climate change poses a grave threat that Australia must face over the coming decades.
The article author, David Hollingworth, wrote: “Speaking at an event at Parliament House to launch a paper titled, A climate-first foreign policy for Australia: Human security in the age of climate disruption, Admiral (Ret’d) Chris Barrie said that facing the climate crisis head-on would be a net positive for the nation”.
“It will not only be good for us here in Australia, it will be good for our region too, where a lot of people expect countries like ours to step up when there’s a need,” Barrie said.
Adm Chris Barrie (Rtd) launches the report “A climate-first foreign policy for Australia: Human security in the age of climate disruption” at an event at Parliament House. Photo: Climate Code Red, 7 September 2025.
From a related article, A climate-first foreign policy is essential for Australia and regional security published on the Climate Code Red site on 7 September 2025 we understand that a climate-first foreign policy for Australia, as proposed by groups like the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group (ASLCG), argues for making climate security the central pillar of Australia's international relations to address cascading global disruptions like displacement, food insecurity, and geopolitical tension. Such a policy would involve leadership in high-ambition climate alliances, promoting climate-conditioned trade and investment, providing increased finance for vulnerable nations, and developing legal frameworks for climate migration. It calls for a strategic shift from traditional geopolitical concerns to a proactive, cooperative approach, prioritizing long-term security and prosperity by accelerating the global transition to a decarbonized economy.
Relate news – 15 Sep 2025: GMACCC member, Jessica Yllemo reported on Linked-In that Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment is now available. The National Assessment provides a comprehensive, evidence-based understanding of how climate risks are being experienced across Australia—now and into the future.
Led by the Australian Climate Service, the Assessment applies a risk-based approach consistent with international best practice. It identifies 63 nationally significant climate risks across key systems including health, infrastructure, ecosystems, communities, and the economy.
This foundational work supports the Australian Government’s National Adaptation Plan and is designed to inform decision-making.
The Australian Climate Service is a partnership of the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Geoscience Australia. Together, they provide independent, rigorous and trusted science to help Australia prepare for a changing climate.
>>> Read more about the National Assessment and download the report >>>
Top photo: Getty Images licensed via Site 123.