The Strategic Defence Review and National Security Strategy, both published in June 2025, saw the UK government commit decisively to a highly militarised version of national security. In a move away from all previous such UK strategies, human security concerns and global ecological sustainability were virtually absent from the NSS’s analysis and actions, as military threats, responses and spending were overwhelmingly prioritised.
This series of three webinars explores with those working for positive change the impact of this step-change across a number of critical issues for people and planet.
Register for the second one here:
Next webinar:
Since the publication of the National Security Strategy, it is clear that Labour’s answer to climate breakdown is “energy security”. But how does that match up with climate justice and what are the links between its energy security strategies and the current ‘defence’ and militarist policies?
Join us on Wednesday 2nd December for this important discussion.
Ellie Kinney is Senior Climate Advocacy Officer at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, a UK based NGO which aims to give a voice to the environment – and those who depend on it – when it faces harm from armed conflict and military activity. She coordinates the Military Emissions Gap, a project which monitors and analyses military emissions data and advocates for accountability for the military’s contribution to global emissions through UN climate frameworks.
Dr Stuart Parkinson is executive director of SGR, a post he has held for over 20 years, where he co-ordinates research, education and campaigning on ethical issues across science and technology. He holds a PhD in climate change science and has also worked in academia, industry, and the environmental sector. He has authored numerous reports, academic papers, and popular science articles, on issues including climate science and policy, the militarisation of science, and security studies.
Jake Simms is Just Transition coordinator at London Mining Network. His work challenges the rush to expand ‘critical mineral’ mining under the banners of ‘national security’ and the energy transition. London Mining Network is an alliance of human rights, environmental, and solidarity organisations working in solidarity with communities around the world harmed by London-linked mining companies.
Previous Webinar
Over the last few years, we have witnessed public pressure on the UK government to act against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians and the US war on Iran. However, successive attempts to expose UK complicity in conflicts and challenge national security, foreign and climate policy have been ignored or suppressed by legal changes to policing and protest. The result is a chilling effect. Why is this happening and who or what is being sidelined in the UK as a result?
Leila Laing is Government Relations Advisor for Minorities in Peace and Security. Leila is a government relations and strategic communications advisor with expertise in public affairs and stakeholder engagement. With a track record of advising governments, corporations, and NGOs, Leila specialises in shaping narratives that drive impact. Drawing on experience from government, think tanks, and the private sector roles, Leila has led high-profile international initiatives spanning security, defence, trade, and governance portfolios.
Kirsten Bayes is a staff member at Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) where she works as its Outreach Coordinator: she is a regular speaker for CAAT. She has been involved with CAAT as a volunteer and staff member for more than 15 years. She is also the Chair of Nuclear Information Service, a non profit that investigates and reports on the UK’s nuclear weapons programme.
Jack Cinamon is researcher and parliamentary liaison for Shadow World Investigations and co-research coordinator for the Corruption Tracker. He is co-author of the forthcoming book, Making a Killing: How the West Profits From Slaughter in Gaza and Yemen.