---
title: Defence leaders warn of climate security threat
description: A group of leading defence figures are urging the Albanese government to release a secret report on the national security risks of climate change even though its contents may alarm Australians.
---
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# Defence leaders warn of climate security threat
Wednesday, 5 April 2023
A group of leading defence figures are urging the Albanese government to release a secret report on the national security risks of climate change even though its contents may alarm Australians. Former Defence Force chief Admiral Chris Barrie said it was crucial to inform the public about the security implications of warmer temperatures, rising sea levels and increased natural disasters.
ANZ Bank and 11 other Australian and international banks are facing human rights grievances from seven traditional owners that have lodged complaints through lawyers in the latest effort to prevent Santos’ $5.8 billion Barossa gas project in the Timor Sea.
And the climate council has released a new report which argues that while the goal to decarbonise transport in Australia has to rely on electric vehicles in the long term, “this won’t happen overnight” and that new laws are needed in the interim to shift Australians away from high-polluting utes in particular.
[Defence leaders urge release of ‘scary’ climate report](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/05/former-adf-chief-calls-for-release-of-secret-report-into-security-threat-posed-by-climate-crisis)
A group of leading defence figures is urging the Albanese government to release a secret report on the national security risks of climate change even though its contents may alarm Australians. Former Defence Force chief Admiral Chris Barrie said it was crucial to inform the public about the security implications of warmer temperatures, rising sea levels and increased natural disasters.
[Financiers of Santos’ Barossa project facing human rights grievances](https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/banks-targeted-in-fresh-barossa-gas-battle-20230404-p5cxv0)
ANZ Bank and 11 other Australian and international banks are facing human rights grievances from seven traditional owners that have lodged complaints through lawyers in the latest effort to prevent Santos’ $5.8 billion Barossa gas project in the Timor Sea.
[Ute Beauty! Climate Council unveils report on utes](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/05/australias-high-polluting-utes-spark-calls-to-change-fuel-efficiency-laws)
Australia’s top-selling utes are among the most expensive and polluting vehicles to run and their popularity means transport emissions are projected to remain high as manufacturers funnel their least efficient models to the Australian market due to a lack of fuel efficiency standards. This comes after yesterday’s story that emissions from utes and SUVs are going up.
[Better Cotton unveils new Impact Targets for 2030](https://au.fashionnetwork.com/news/Better-cotton-unveils-new-impact-targets-for-2030,1503481.html)
The world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative has announced a series of new impact targets for 2030. These targets include improving soil health, empowering women, providing sustainable livelihoods, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
[AGL announces plans for 500 megawatt grid-scale battery](https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8147491/big-battery-plans-for-tomago/)
AGL has announced plans to build a grid-scale battery at Tomago as part of its goal to have 5 gigawatts of renewable generation and firming in place by the end of 2030.
[Fat-tailed marsupials among the unique Victorian animals scientists want protected](https://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/fat-tailed-marsupials-wingless-flies-the-unique-victorian-animals-scientists-want-protected-20230402-p5cxc8.html)They’re fierce, carnivorous and weigh as much as three grapes, with a stubby tail where they store energy like a camel’s hump. These marsupials are one of a number of unique animals that scientists and conservationists want the Victorian government to recognise are in peril in the hope this will trigger plans for their recovery.
[Finland becomes 31st member of Nato](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/04/finland-nato-member-brussels-ceremony?utm_term=642c93613a79a9443353934f9761e016&utm_campaign=MorningMailAUS&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=morningmailau_email)
The blue-and-white flag of Finland has been raised alongside those of its western partners outside Nato’s headquarters in Brussels after the Nordic country formally became the 31st member of the transatlantic defensive alliance.
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