Climate: the UNSC adopts a statement on the implications of climate change on international peace and security - Statement by the Spokeperson of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

Paris, 21 July 2011

Adoption by the UN Security Council of a statement on the implications of climate change on international peace and security (July 20)

Yesterday, the Presidency of the Security Council adopted a statement on the implications of climate change on international peace and security.

France is convinced of the need for the Security Council to be involved in this area.

France welcomes the fact that the Council has instructed the Secretary-General to take the implications of climate change for international security into account in its reports, notably when they relate to the implementation of the Council’s mandates and peacebuilding efforts.

The Security Council must in effect ensure an integrated approach in responding to the risks and have a better understanding of the vectors of conflict associated with climate change. At the same time, it must take into account the impact of its own actions and decisions. Peacekeeping operations alone produce emissions of more than a million tons of CO2 per year and can contribute to the depletion of scarce resources in vulnerable regions where they take place. France welcomes the first steps taken by the UN Secretariat to limit this impact. These efforts must be maintained and strengthened.



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