The Security Council first discussed the thematic issue of climate change and its relationship with energy and security during a ministerial-level open debate in 2007 at an initiative by the United Kingdom. In 2011, during the German Presidency of the Security Council, a Presidential Statement was adopted after extended negotiations due to diverging opinions in which the Security Council expressed “its concern that possible adverse effects of climate change may, in the long run, aggravate certain existing threats to international peace and security” (S/PRST/2011/15). Criticism included that the issue of climate change rather belonged to the realms of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and, moreover, was substantially addressed by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

 

While the Security Council has mentioned climate change in several country- or region-specific resolutions since then, and since 2021 in resolutions related to peacekeeping operations, as well, it did not adopt a thematic resolution on climate change, peace and security until today. An attempt was made in 2021 by Ireland and Niger. The draft resolution expressed the intention that the Security Council would include “information on the security implications of climate change” into its conflict management strategies and requested the Secretary-General to “integrate climate-related security risk as central component into comprehensive conflict-prevention strategies of the United Nations” as well as include “security implications of the effects of climate change” into the planning of UN Missions, peacebuilding strategies, as well as disaster relief and humanitarian operations. The draft was supported by 12 Members of the Council and 113 UN Member States. However, it was vetoed on 13 December 2021 by the Russian Federation, with 12 votes in favour, one abstention (China), and India voting against, as well.

 

Security Council Members remain divided on the question whether climate change is a matter of peace and security, or rather a matter of sustainable development to be dealt with by the General Assembly, the ECOSOC or the UNFCCC.

 

You are invited to a simulated Session of the Security Council to discuss the security implications of climate change in the main organ responsible for international peace and security according to the Charter of the United Nations. Class sessions (Wednesday, 16.00 – 18.00 h, c.t.) prior will give you an ample overview of the topic. With this class the authors hope to deepen your knowledge about the functioning of an international body, various aspects of international diplomacy, negotiation techniques, and also hopefully the roots and causes of the diverging opinions on the subject among UN-Member States.

 

You will be asked to represent one of the members of the Security Council and take an active part in the class and negotiations. Participants are expected to research their respective countries position independently and to provide a Briefing on a selected topic relating to the topic climate change, peace and security. Delegations are also asked to prepare a one-page Position Paper. Each Delegation will consist of 1-2 persons.

 

Please note that the seminar/conference language will be English. It is possible to receive 5 ECTS-credits (Schlüsselqualifikation or Fremdsprachenfachkompetenz, FB Rechtswissenschaft). All faculties are invited to apply. We especially recommend this seminar to those intereted in our NMUN-Programm!

 

Applications are to be sent via email until 6 April 2025 to Peggy Wittke, peggy.wittke@fu-berlin.de.

 

 

Your application should include:

 

• Personal Details (Name, Phone, FU-Email, Field of Study + Semester, Student ID Number)
• Short letter of motivation (3-4 sentences only)
• 3 Country preferences
• 2 Briefing preferences (Topic No.)

 

Members of the Security Council 2025: Algeria, China, Denmark, France, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, United Kingdom, United States.

 

 

Briefings

 

Climate, Peace and Security – Part One

1. What is climate change? Facts and Figures
2. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992), the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015)

 

Climate, Peace and Security – Part Two

3. The First Open Debate on Energy, Security and Climate in the Security Council (2007) and the Presidential Statement on the Impact of Climate Change (2011)
4. A Turning Point? The Lake Chad Basin and Security Council Resolution 2349 (2017)

 

Climate, Peace and Security – Part Three

5. Institutional Developments: The Climate-Security Mechanism, the Group of Friends, and the Informal Expert Group
6. Diverging Opinions and a Veto: The Failed Draft Resolution by Ireland and Niger (2021)

 

Climate, Peace and Security – Part Four

7. The High-level Debate on “The Role of Young Persons in Addressing Security Challenges in the Mediterranean”
(17 April 2024) – Focus Question: “What can the Security Council do to effectively address security challenges in the region, which pose a threat to young persons and future generations, and to advance the climate-security nexus?”

 

 

For further information please contact Dr. Peggy Wittke:

Faculty of Law
Tel.: (030) 838 547 05
Email: peggy.wittke@fu-berlin.de