The UN Security Council has discussed climate change for the first time.

The meeting, held on 17 April, focused on the impact of climate change on peace and security. Over 50 participants spoke. Some delegates, including China and Pakistan, which spoke for the “Group of 77” developing countries, raised doubts regarding the Council’s role on this issue, with some suggesting that it was primarily a socio-economic and/or sustainable development issue that should be addressed by the General Assembly. However, many others, particularly small island states, welcomed the Council’s discussions. Many speakers also urged the UN to give urgent consideration to holding a global summit on climate change.
The Security Council discussion was requested by the UK and chaired by its Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett. She labeled climate change a global security issue, noting scientific evidence reinforcing fears that climate change would bring about large-scale migration due to flooding, disease and famine, as well as increased competition for food, water and energy. Participants also discussed such issues as the recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the upcoming negotiations in Bali in late 2007 on the post-2012 framework for addressing climate change when the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period expires, and the needs of the most vulnerable countries, including small island states, states with large coastal populations, and least developed countries. The European Union reiterated its recent unilateral commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 compared with 1990 levels, and to increase this to 30 percent if other developed countries took similar steps.

Links to further information
UN Security Council news release and summary of all statements, 17 April 2007
BBC news report, 18 April 2007
CNN/AP news report, 17 April 2007
VOA news report, 17 April 2007