Joint Nordic Statement at UNSC open debate on Climate Change Peace and Security

Check Against Delivery

Madam President, Excellencies,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark. We congratulate the United Arab Emirates on assuming the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council. We also welcome the joint pledge made by non-permanent Security Council members UAE, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland to continuously address climate, peace and security issues.

Firstly, the climate crisis is one of the greatest threats to international peace and security, and it is urgent to address connections between climate change, peace and security. The Nordics fully support the tangible suggestions from the Group of Friends of Climate and Security, as delivered by Germany during this meeting. We have seen that it is possible to integrate climate into the mandates of UN missions, and we emphasise the importance of UN missions continuing their efforts to mainstream climate related-security risks into assessments and strategies. Furthermore, the advice from the Peacebuilding Commission can bring value to Security Council deliberations on the peacebuilding implications of the adverse effects of climate change, not least the recent examples from the Pacific Islands and the Sahel.

Excellencies, the Security Council must be accountable to the conflict-affected populations and include their views and needs. Women are disproportionately affected by climate-induced conflicts. It is key to ensure their full, equal and meaningful participation in all stages of conflict towards building resilience and peace. We must also promote the important participation of youth and persons with disabilities, among other affected groups. We suggest conducting Security Council field visits to countries facing security threats induced by climate change, which can provide opportunities for Council members to experience first-hand the consequences facing communities.

Secondly, we believe it is critical to increase climate financing, especially financing for climate adaptation in fragile and conflict-affected countries. All climate financing should be conflict sensitive, and should be used as an opportunity to underpin peacebuilding efforts.

Thirdly, we remind the Security Council of the need to accelerate energy transition in UN peace operations. Among UN activities, peacekeeping operations mandated by the Council are the main emitters of greenhouse gases. Currently, only 6% of the energy supply for UN peace operations for peacekeeping comes from renewable energy. The result is a significant climate footprint for the operations, in addition to their footprint on the local environment.

We welcome the targets for the UN Secretariat to reduce its carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and sourcing 80 per cent of electricity from renewable energy. Member States must support efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of UN peace operations, including through a transition to renewable energy wherever possible.

Excellencies, in light of the well-documented adverse effects of climate change on peace and security, the Nordics call on the Security Council to be accountable to the affected populations and take action in response to their calls.