The United Nations has been addressing the interconnectedness of climate change and global conflicts for decades. Notably, the 2007 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlighted the significant role climate change plays in exacerbating conflict. The report emphasized that resource scarcity, such as water and arable land, often leads to competition and conflict, particularly in vulnerable regions.
In 2019, the U.N. Security Council held a meeting to discuss the security implications of climate change. During the meeting, representatives from various countries noted that climate-induced displacement and migration are emerging threats. For instance, the Sahel region in Africa has been severely impacted by prolonged droughts, leading to increased competition over dwindling resources. This has fueled conflicts among communities and has been exploited by terrorist groups to recruit members.
Another critical example is the impact of climate change on the Syrian Civil War. A severe drought between 2006 and 2010, exacerbated by climate change, led to massive crop failures and the migration of rural populations to urban areas. This migration contributed to socio-economic stresses and is considered one of the factors that ignited the conflict.
The Paris Agreement of 2015, while primarily focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, also acknowledged the link between climate change and global security. Article 8 of the agreement highlights the importance of addressing loss and damage associated with the impacts of climate change, which includes conflict and displacement.
In recent years, the U.N. General Assembly has included climate security as a recurring agenda item. In 2020, a resolution titled "Climate Change and Security" was adopted, urging member states to incorporate climate risk assessments into their national security strategies. The resolution also called for increased funding for climate adaptation and resilience-building in conflict-prone regions.
One lesser-known fact is the role of small island developing states (SIDS) in pushing the climate-security agenda at the U.N. These states, particularly Fiji, have been vocal about the existential threat posed by rising sea levels. Fiji's presidency of the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP23) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2017 was pivotal in highlighting the security implications of climate change.
The U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) has also been instrumental in researching and advocating for integrated approaches to climate and security. UNEP's 2020 report, "The Role of the Environment in Conflict and Peacebuilding," provides case studies on how environmental degradation and climate change contribute to conflict and offers recommendations for sustainable peacebuilding efforts.
In summary, the U.N. meeting agenda on climate change and global conflicts spans across various bodies and initiatives, underscoring the multifaceted nature of this issue. From resolutions and reports to high-level meetings and advocacy by vulnerable states, the U.N. continues to address the critical nexus between climate change and global security.