From Cyber to Climate

The UK can leverage its existing model for cybersecurity skills development to address growing needs in the environmental security sector.

By establishing an 'Environmental Security Development Scheme' (ESDS), modelled after the National Cyber Security Centre’s apprenticeship and bursary programs, the UK could nurture new talent in environmental security.

This scheme would offer debt-free apprenticeships or bursaries for students, coupled with career placement opportunities in government or private industry.

Environmental security is increasingly vital for national and energy security.

By training the next generation of experts through structured programs like ESDS, the UK can ensure that it has the necessary human capital to address climate risks and safeguard its infrastructure, contributing directly to the fight against climate change through sustainable policy and practice.

This initiative provides students with debt-free education options, including apprenticeships and bursaries, ensuring that graduates enter the job market with practical experience and guaranteed employment.

It offers them a direct route into a growing and critical industry, while simultaneously mitigating student debt.

By collaborating with the ESDS, universities could offer students enriched learning experiences through internships and hands-on training in environmental security.

This partnership would attract more students to environmental science programs, increase employability rates, and align universities with the UK’s national security agenda.

The ESDS can be expanded to a nationwide program, reaching schools to introduce environmental security as a career path early on.

Partnerships with private industry, government, and international bodies can enhance its scope, making the UK a global leader in environmental security while ensuring that the talent pipeline supports both domestic and international climate security needs.