It is now widely accepted that the climate crises presented by the Anthropocene may well be among the biggest, and perhaps the biggest, threat humankind has ever faced. Both the direct and indirect impacts of these climatic events are having far-reaching and profound effects that are changing everyday lives across the globe – with effects varying considerably across spacio-temporal contexts. These new ‘harmscapes’ have also had a direct impact on localised policing and security responses and criminological scholarship has already begun to recognise the increasing role of police, local communities and the private sector acting as first responders to climate disasters and climate-related harms. Yet there is still much to be learnt as to the ways in which everyday policing and localised responses to climate-related harms is taking place with respect to new adaptations, the impacts on current practices, and the implications for the development of new roles, mentalities and partnerships.

In this roundtable we wish to consider the evolving nature of state and non-state policing responses to climate change impacts through a discussion on practices occurring in diverse geographic contexts, thereby engaging with northern and southern perspectives on the issue, as well as reflecting on the specific roles of public, private and community entities, whilst also acknowledging the increasing plurality of localised responses to climate harmscapes.