Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed Dame Madeline Alessandri as the United Kingdom’s first special representative for climate security, declaring climate change a critical threat to national security.

Burnham announced the appointment during his debut address at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya. He also reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to reaching net zero by 2050.

The appointment gives climate security a dedicated representative, placing the issue explicitly within Burnham’s national security agenda. It accompanies a renewed commitment to the existing emissions target rather than a change to its deadline.