The paper explores changes related to the inclusion and framing of climate change in UK security policy and the possible implications for overseas development assistance (ODA). It is argued that the framing of climate change within the security realm does not necessarily equate to a subsequent shift in UK ODA programming priorities and funding allocations. There is evidence to suggest climate change has been ‘securitised’. However, if securitisation is understood to mean a subsequent change in practice, programming and funding, this has not occurred in ODA. The framing of an issue largely determines the level of priority, the departmental responsibility and the mechanisms established to manage the issue. The findings are important and pose several challenges to the UK's committment to a cross-departmental approach to addressing climate change.