The role of critical natural infrastructure in supporting national security

Report

Nature is central to national security as it provides the essential goods and services that make life on Earth possible, including food, water, oxygen, a habitable climate and protection from hazards. Urgent intervention is needed to protect Critical Natural Infrastructure from unsustainable human activities. Priority recommendations • Essential natural assets and systems must be recognised and protected as Critical Natural Infrastructure. • Joined-up policies across government are urgently needed including stronger protection for Critical Natural Infrastructure in planning policy, consistent agrienvironment funding, and stronger action on climate, pollution, over-f!shing, and data centre energy and water use. • The UK should maintain its global leadership role on climate and biodiversity through i) its convening and organising power, which requires leading by example, ii) multilateral climate and biodiversity funding and iii) scientific excellence and knowledge exchange. This is one of a series of reports from an Agile Initiative research sprint: "Environment and National Security: Exploring the Risk Pathways".

Authors: Smith, A; Bator, J; O'Callaghan-Brown, T; Clack, T; Seddon, N

• Publication status: Published
• Publisher: Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford
• Place of publication: Oxford, UK
• Publication date: 2026-07-10
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-bpmyzqnjx
• Commissioning body: Agile Initiative
• Language: English
• Keywords: critical natural infrastructure; national security; nature recovery