Rethinking security in an interconnected age: Achim Steiner on national security in a world of shared international risks

As geopolitical tensions rise alongside climate shocks, AI disruption and pandemic risk, former UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner has returned to the Oxford Martin School to rethink what national security really means in the 21st century. In this interview, he outlines why security must now integrate climate change, emerging technologies, health and cooperation – and how a new global initiative aims to help governments, institutions and societies prepare for systemic risk.

New study estimates NHS England spends 3% of its primary and secondary care budget on the health impacts of temperature

A new University of Oxford-led study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, is the first to link daily temperature data to health-care use and costs across primary and secondary care in England. Analysis of 4.37 million patient records in England has found resources asymmetrically impacted by winter cold and summer heat, with about 64% linked to common cold days while very hot days drive sharp same-day demand surges.

How can we effectively regulate international trade in wild species?

Global food systems driving twin crises of obesity and global heating

A major review in Frontiers in Science warns that unsustainable food systems pose an urgent threat to both human health and the climate.

Why has the price of chocolate become so volatile?

Dr Tonya Lander, Stipendiary Lecturer at Christ Church and researcher at the Oxford Martin School Programme on the Future of Food, explains the diverse factors that impact the price of chocolate, and what measures could help improve the long-term resilience and stability of this global market that supports millions of livelihoods.

Reforming the UK food system isn’t just an imperative, it’s an opportunity

Speaking at a first-of-its-kind National Emergency Briefing on climate change, Professor Paul Behrens outlines the urgent need to reform the UK food system – and the diverse benefits this would bring for farmers, the public and nature.

What we told UK leaders about climate and nature at a national emergency briefing

Reflections on COP30 in Belém

Researchers from across the University of Oxford were at COP30 in Belém, taking part in side events, presenting new research, and working with partners to support the negotiations and inform the wider political process. They included the Directors of two of our major programmes, Nathalie Seddon from our Agile initiative and Thomas Hale from the Oxford Martin Programme on Climate Policy.

Climate policy models are missing the human cost, says new Lancet review

A Lancet Planetary Health Review, co-authored by Professor Paul Behrens from our Future of Food programme, finds that widely used climate policy models overlook major impacts on people’s lives. The result is that prevention can be undervalued.

The UK must secure supplies of 34 critical minerals says new report – here’s how

Economies face $14 billion in annual losses from maritime chokepoint disruptions

Global trade routes are increasingly vulnerable as the world’s narrow shipping passages, known as maritime chokepoints, face mounting threats from both human-induced hazards such as conflict, piracy, and terrorism, and natural hazards driven by extreme weather.

New plan aims to make public procurement a force for climate action

Today at COP30 in Belém, the Government of Brazil announced an ambitious plan to drive action on climate change using the power of public procurement. The Belém Declaration on Sustainable Public Procurement establishes concrete measures to move high-impact markets and production chains into alignment with the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, including targets up to 2030 and sustainability indicators.

Climate policy strengthens globally, despite unprecedented contestation in the US and Europe

Global review of 37 countries shows climate policy strengthening, with 200+ new policies since 2024, yet they still fall short. Report from the Oxford Climate Policy Monitor, part of the Oxford Martin Programme on Climate Policy