Climate Change Risks Underestimated in New Defence Strategy: What This Means for Our Future

Climate change has seen a significant shift in how it’s addressed in New Zealand’s latest defense plan. The 2025 Defence Capability Plan mentions climate change only twice in a single paragraph, focusing solely on its impact on Pacific Island countries. This is a stark change from the 2019 plan, which highlighted climate change as a major security concern, mentioning it 13 times and dedicating an entire chapter to its effects.

The government’s latest plan allocates $12 billion over four years to strengthen the New Zealand Defence Force. It states that we’re in what they call “the most challenging and dangerous strategic environment in decades.” However, climate change has been downplayed in this context, with most of its discussions removed.

The Defence Assessment 2021 and the Defence Policy and Strategy Statement 2023 still ranked climate change among the top threats to New Zealand’s security in the coming years, alongside strategic competition with other nations. Yet, in the new plan, discussions about how climate change affects New Zealand’s security are absent.

Defence Minister Judith Collins did not clarify why this shift occurred when asked. Instead, a spokesperson reiterated that climate change remains a crucial issue for Pacific Island nations, causing intensified natural disasters and other security challenges. Some experts worry that this shift reflects a broader trend of neglecting environmental concerns in national security discourse.

Historically, New Zealand recognized climate change as a key factor in defense strategies. For instance, the 2018 report “The Climate Crisis: Defence Readiness and Responsibilities” described it as a looming security crisis. In the 2019 Defence Capability Plan, climate change was linked to various impacts, such as increased humanitarian missions and a higher frequency of disasters.

Current public sentiment, particularly on social media, shows that many New Zealanders feel anxious about these changes. A recent survey indicated that a significant portion of the population believes addressing climate change should be at the forefront of national security discussions. The apparent reduction of climate change concerns in the defense plan has led to widespread discussions, with citizens using platforms like Twitter to express their confusion and frustration.

In light of these developments, it’s essential to contemplate the implications for New Zealand’s security policy. As the global situation regarding climate change grows ever more urgent, nations must remain vigilant and adapt their strategies. Ignoring this critical issue could lead to more significant challenges, both locally and internationally. For a deeper dive into climate-related defense strategies from authoritative sources, you can refer to the [United Nations Climate Action Reports](https://www.un.org/en/climatechange).

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