Security Council

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has various meeting formats, including briefings, informal debates that are not held in the Security Council Chamber (Arria-formula meetings), private meetings that are not open to the public or Non-Council members, and debates. The debates are open for Non-Council members to observe, and Non-Council members whose interests are directly affected by a matter under consideration may be invited to participate in the discussion. Open debates are held occasionally, where Non-Council members can participate in the discussion upon their request.

Whether climate change and rising sea levels are part of the Security Councils mandate is a highly debated question, and some of the Permanent members of the Council have indicated that they are opposed to the idea and that these topics should be dealt with by other UN bodies. This debate is analyzed in academia, and can be traced in the documents below. There are generally few examples of the Security Council addressing climate and rising sea levels. There are some open debates and regular debates, but so far no resolutions regarding these matters. There are, however, some resolutions that address these questions indirectly.

Information regarding the United Nations Security Council: un.org/securitycouncil

 

UNSC Debates:

 

• UNSC Debate on Climate-Related Security Risks, 11 July 2018
  • Debate led by Sweden. Participation by Non-Council members (without the right to vote): Iraq, Maldives, Nauru, Sudan and Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Meeting Record – Debate on Climate-Related Security Risks
  • Chairs Summary – Debate on Climate-Related Security Risks
  • Meeting Coverage:
    • “Impacts of Climate Change Go Well beyond ‘the Strictly Environmental’, Deputy Secretary-General Tells Security Council Debate”: un.org/press/en/2018/dsgsm1195
    • «Addressing Security Council, Pacific Island President Calls Climate Change Defining Issue of Next Century, Calls for Special Representative on Issue», un.org/press/en/2018/sc13417

 

UNSC Open Debates:

 

• UNSC Open Debate on addressing complex contemporary challenges to international peace and security, 20 December 2017
  • Open debate led by Japan. Contains several mentions of climate change as a challenge to international peace and security.
  • Meeting Record
  • Concept Note
  • Meeting Coverage
    • «Prevention, Development Must Be at Centre of All Efforts Tackling Emerging Complex Threats to International Peace, Secretary-General Tells Security Council»: un.org/press/en/2017/sc13131

• UNSC Open Debate on Water, Peace and Security, 22 November 2016
  • Open debate led by Senegal. Several mentions of climate change, rising sea levels and Pacific Small Island Developing States.
  • Meeting Record
  • Concept Note
  • Meeting Coverage
    • «Secretary-General, in Security Council, Stresses Promotion of Water-resource Management as Tool to Foster Cooperation, Prevent Conflict»: un.org/press/en/2016/sc12598
    • «Cooperation for Shared Water Resources Key to Bringing Adversaries Together, Ending Conflicts, Secretary-General Tells Security Council»: un.org/press/en/2016/sgsm18292

• UNSC Open Debate on Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Peace and Security Challenges Facing Small Island Developing States, 20 July 2015
  • Open debate led by New Zealand.
  • Meeting Record
  • Concept Note
  • Meeting Coverage
    • «Issues Facing Small Island Developing States ´Global Challenges` Demanding Collective Responsibility, Secretary-General Tells Security Council»: un.org/press/en/2015/sc11991

• UNSC Open Debate on Maintenance of International Peace and Security: the Impact of Climate Change, 20 July 2011
  • Open debate led by Germany.
  • Meeting Record
  • Concept Note
  • Presidential Statement
  • Meeting Coverage
    • «Security Council, in Statement, Says ´Contextual Information` on Possible Security Implications of Climate Change Important When Climate Impacts Drive Conflict»: un.org/press/en/2011/sc10332
    • «With Environmental Refugees Reshaping Human Geography, Security Council Has Unique Duty to Mobilize Action to Confront Climate Change Threat, Says Secretary-General»: un.org/press/en/2011/sgsm13712

• UNSC Open Debate on Energy, Security and Climate, 17 April 2007
  • Open debate led by United Kingdom.
  • Meeting Record
  • Meeting Record, resumption
  • Concept Note
  • Meeting Coverage
    • «Security Council holds First-Ever Debate on Impact of Climate Change on Peace, Security, Hearing over 50 Speakers», un.org/press/en/2007/sc9000
    • «Climate Change Requires Long-Term Global Response, Secretary-General tells Security Council»: un.org/press/en/2007/sgsm10949

 

UNSC Resolutions indirectly addressing climate change:

 

• UNSC Resolution 2423 (2018) extending mandate of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, 28 June 2018
  • Unanimously adopted resolution regarding mandate extension in Mali. Climate change included in the mandate extension.
  • Resolution 2423 (2018)
  • Meeting Record
  • Meeting Record
    • «Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, Adopting Resolution 2423»: un.org/press/en/2018/sc13400

• UNSC Resolution 2349 (2017) on the Lake Chad Basin, 31 March 2017
  • Unanimously passed resolution mentioning climate change as a driving factor for the conflict.
  • Resolution 2349 (2017)
  • Meeting Record
  • Meeting Coverage
  • Meeting Record – Open Briefing on the Lake Chad basin region and the implementation of resolution 2349 (2018)
  • Chairs Summary – Open Briefing on the Lake Chad basin region and the implementation of resolution 2349 (2018)
  • Meeting Coverage
    • «Security Council Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attacks, Other Violations in Lake Chad Basin Region, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2349»: un.org/press/en/2017/sc12773