The decline in the health of nature around the world poses a threat to the UK's security and prosperity, an intelligence committee has concluded in a long-awaited report.
The document warns of "cascading risks" from the degradation of some of the planet's most important ecosystems, including conflict, migration and increased competition for resources.
Pointing to the UK's reliance on ecosystems that are "on a pathway to collapse" – such as the Amazon rainforest – the report warns of rising food prices and says that UK food security could be at risk.
In response, the government said that nature underpinned the UK's security and prosperity and that the report would help it prepare for the future.
The 14-page report was officially published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). But the BBC understands it was put together by the Joint Intelligence Committee, which oversees the security services, in addition to input across government.
