Climate Change Threatens UK Food Supply Chains

The UK finds itself at a precarious juncture as various external pressures threaten the stability and resilience of its national food supply.

As climate change accelerates, geopolitical issues emerge and trade dynamics evolve, the country’s food security is increasingly jeopardised.

Nearly one-third of the UK’s food imports come solely from the EU, leaving the nation highly vulnerable to any disruptions in international trade.

The National Preparedness Commission (NPC) has warned that the country is not prepared for the scale of risks now facing its food supply. From climate change and geopolitical tensions to economic shocks and trade barriers, these challenges are making the current system unsustainable.

The risk landscape

The depth and variety of risks facing the UK’s food supply are significant.

Extreme weather conditions, economic shocks resulting from global events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as trade barriers and geopolitical tensions, collectively buffet the UK’s food supply infrastructure.

Tim Lang, Emeritus Professor of food policy at City University of London and author of the report, argues that the UK’s food resilience framework is dangerously outdated.

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