Security Council Background Guide

Topic: Climate Security

Conference Year: 2026

1. Topic Background

Climate security refers to the intersection of climate change and international peace and security, focusing on how environmental degradation, extreme weather events, and resource scarcity can exacerbate conflicts and threaten stability. Historically, the Security Council (SC) primarily addressed traditional security threats such as interstate wars and terrorism. However, over the past two decades, the increasing recognition of climate change as a "threat multiplier" has brought climate security to the forefront of the Council’s agenda.

The first major acknowledgment came in the early 2000s, when the UN and various think tanks began linking climate impacts to conflict risks, especially in fragile states. The 2011 Security Council debate on climate change and security marked the first formal discussion of the issue, signaling growing concern. Since then, the urgency has intensified due to the acceleration of climate impacts worldwide: rising sea levels threatening island states, prolonged droughts fueling conflicts in the Sahel, and extreme weather displacing millions.

By 2026, the Security Council faces mounting pressure to integrate climate considerations into its peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and post-conflict reconstruction mandates. Recent extreme weather disasters have coincided with spikes in violence in vulnerable regions, underscoring the need for concrete action. Moreover, the geopolitical ramifications of climate-induced migration and resource competition have elevated climate security to a strategic priority, prompting calls for clearer frameworks and enhanced international cooperation.

2. Key Actors

States

• Small Island Developing States (SIDS) (e.g., Maldives, Marshall Islands): Vocal advocates for urgent climate action, emphasizing existential threats from sea-level rise and displacement.
• Sahelian countries (e.g., Niger, Chad, Mali): Highlight the destabilizing effects of drought and desertification on local conflicts and terrorism.
• Major emitters and global powers:
  • United States: Balances climate action rhetoric with strategic interests; supports integrating climate risks into security assessments.
  • China: Focuses on climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience, while promoting South-South cooperation.
  • Russia: Generally skeptical of linking climate change to security threats; prioritizes traditional security concerns.
• European Union (represented by member states on the Council): Strong proponents of climate security frameworks, pushing for preventive diplomacy and sustainable peacebuilding.

International Organizations

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Provides scientific assessments and early warning related to environmental risks and conflict.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Works on climate adaptation and resilience-building in fragile contexts.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): Addresses displacement linked to climate disasters.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Supplies authoritative climate science underpinning security risk analyses.
• African Union (AU): Engaged in regional responses to climate-related insecurity, especially in the Sahel and Horn of Africa.

3. Bloc Positions

1. Climate Vulnerable States Bloc

Includes SIDS, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and many African and Pacific nations. This bloc advocates for:

• Recognition of climate change as a direct security threat.
• Increased international support for adaptation and resilience in conflict-prone areas.
• Linking climate security with human rights and sustainable development.
• Calls for binding commitments on emissions reductions to prevent further destabilization.

2. Major Powers and Developed Countries Bloc

Comprising the US, EU members, UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia. Positions generally include:

• Support for integrating climate risk assessments into Security Council mandates and peacekeeping operations.
• Emphasis on multilateral approaches and leveraging technology and finance for climate resilience.
• Cautious about linking climate change too directly with security to avoid securitization that could lead to militarized responses.
• Promote climate security as part of broader conflict prevention and sustainable development frameworks.

3. Skeptical or Traditional Security-Oriented Bloc

Includes Russia, China, and some Middle Eastern states. This bloc tends to:

• Resist framing climate change as a direct security threat within the SC.
• Argue that climate change should be addressed primarily through development and environmental bodies, not security forums.
• Emphasize sovereignty and non-interference, wary of climate security discourse justifying intervention.
• Focus on traditional security threats and geopolitical rivalries rather than environmental factors.

4. Regional Powers and Middle-Income States Bloc

Countries such as Brazil, India, South Africa, and Indonesia often occupy a middle ground:

• Recognize the risks climate change poses to stability but prioritize economic development and energy access.
• Advocate for balanced approaches that do not hinder development.
• Support regional cooperation mechanisms and South-South dialogue on climate security.

4. Past UN Action

• Security Council Presidential Statement S/PRST/2011/15: First formal SC recognition of climate change as a security issue.
• Resolution 2349 (2017): Linked climate change impacts to conflict in the Lake Chad Basin, mandating integrated responses.
• Resolution 2467 (2019): Although focused on sexual violence in conflict, it referenced the exacerbating role of climate change on conflict dynamics.
• Security Council Meeting Records (various 2020-2025): Increasing frequency of debates and briefings on climate security, especially related to Sahel, Horn of Africa, and Pacific.
• UN Secretary-General Reports (e.g., S/2023/XXX): Regular reports highlight climate risks in conflict-affected areas and recommend integrated approaches.
• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP decisions: While not SC actions, COP agreements increasingly reference security implications, influencing Council discussions.

5. Questions a Resolution Should Answer

1. How should the Security Council formally define “climate security” within its mandate?
2. What mechanisms can the Council establish to systematically integrate climate risk assessments into peacekeeping and conflict prevention missions?
3. How can the Council support climate adaptation and resilience-building in fragile and conflict-affected states without infringing on sovereignty?
4. What role should the Council assign to UN entities (e.g., UNEP, UNDP) and regional organizations in operationalizing climate security?
5. How can the Council address the security implications of climate-induced displacement and migration?
6. Should the Council link climate security explicitly with conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconstruction, and if so, how?
7. What measures can be taken to ensure that climate security initiatives do not militarize climate response or exacerbate geopolitical tensions?

6. Further Reading

UN Documents

Official Security Council meeting records, presidential statements, and resolutions related to climate change and security provide authoritative insight into the evolving UN stance. Secretary-General reports on peace and security, as well as thematic reports on climate impacts in conflict zones, are essential for understanding the UN’s approach and recommendations.

Think-Tank Reports

Policy papers and briefs from institutions such as the International Crisis Group, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), and the Center for Climate and Security offer detailed analyses on the nexus of climate and conflict. These sources provide case studies, risk assessments, and policy recommendations that inform Security Council deliberations.

News Outlets

Reputable international news organizations like Reuters, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian regularly report on climate-related conflicts and Security Council debates. Their coverage offers timely updates on emerging crises, diplomatic developments, and the geopolitical dimensions of climate security.

This background guide aims to equip delegates with a comprehensive understanding of the complex and evolving issue of climate security as it pertains to the Security Council’s mandate in 2026. Effective resolutions will require balancing diverse interests, integrating scientific insights, and forging innovative partnerships to address one of the most pressing challenges to international peace and security.