The United Nations Security Council held its first debate on the relationship between energy, security and climate change on 17 April. The meeting was organized by the United Kingdom, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council. While some delegations, particularly small island states, welcomed the initiative, there were reservations from some developing countries, which regard climate change as a socio-economic development issue and raised doubts about the Council's responsibility on this topic. For a comprehensive overview on the debate, please see the meeting record and the press releases at www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/scact2007.htm



The EU Statement by the German EU Presidency on "Energy, Security and Climate" held in the Security Council is available at http://www.new-york-un.diplo.de/

On the occasion of the Annual Winston Churchill Memorial Lecture on 16 April, the British Foreign Secretary and Chair of the UN Security Council, Margaret Beckett, held a speech on "Climate Change – The Gathering Storm", please see here.

A study on the impact of climate change on U.S. national security has recently been released by CNA Corporation that brought together a panel of retired admirals and generals from all branches of the armed services. The report, called "National Security and the Threat of Climate Change" is available for download at http://securityandclimate.cna.org/

Published in:ECC-Newsletter, April 2007