Bringing Climate and Terrorism Together at the UN Security Council – Proceed with Caution

Dec 6, 2021 | Jordan Street
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Misconceived climate-security policymaking could have significant adverse and counterproductive impacts.

The United Nations Security Council on Dec. 9 will hold its first open thematic debate to explore the links between climate change and terrorism. For much of the 21st century, certain permanent U.N. Security Council members (China, Russia, and the United States from 2016-2020) have resisted efforts to bring climate change issues to the fore in the chamber, other than in an open debate in 2007. However, since 2018, an increasing number of Security Council meetings have begun to focus on the links between climate change and security.

What is needed is increased support for rigorous analysis to understand where an investment in climate solutions can help reduce the impact and likelihood of support for violent terror groups and wider conflict issues.