UNRIC Library Backgrounder: Climate Change

UN News Centre on Climate Change:
https://news.un.org/en/news/topic/climate-change

Actions not words: what was promised at the UN’s landmark climate summit? (23 September 2019):
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/09/1047112

Climate action: 4 shifts the UN chief encourages Governments to make
(12 May 2019):
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/05/1038381

Climate change: ‘A moral, ethical and economic imperative’ to slow global warming say UN leaders, calling for more action (9 May 2019):
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/05/1038231

UN Events

COP 25 - UN Climate Change Conference, 2-13 December 2019, Madrid, Spain:
https://unfccc.int/cop25
Climate Summit, 23 September 2019:
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/un-climate-summit-2019.shtml
- Summit outcomes (closing press release): http://www.un.org/en/climatechange/assets/pdf/CAS_closing_release.pdf
High Level Meeting on Climate and Sustainable Development for All, 29 March 2019:
https://www.un.org/pga/73/event/climate-and-sustainable-development-for-all/
Security Council Meeting, 25 January 2019: Maintenance of international peace and security - Addressing the impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security:
http://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/meetings/2019
Security Council Meeting, 11 July 2018: Maintenance of international peace and security - Understanding and addressing climate-related security risks:
http://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/meetings/2018
Intersessional panel discussion on human rights, climate change, migrants and persons displaced across international borders, 6 October 2017:
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/PanelClimateMigrants.aspx
High-Level SDG Event “Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Agenda”, 23 March 2017:
https://un4.me/2nqVQES
Expert Meeting on Climate Change and Human Rights, 6-7 October 2016:
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/HRAndClimateChange/Pages/ClimateChange.aspx
Paris Agreement Signing Ceremony – 22 April 2016:
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/parisagreement22april/
General Assembly High-Level Event on Climate Change (New York, 29 June 2015):
http://www.un.org/pga/290615_hle-climate-change/
Climate Summit – September 2014:
https://www.un.org/press/en/highlights/climatesummit2014
General Assembly Thematic Debate Sustainable Development and Climate Change: Practical Solutions in the Energy Water Nexus, 16 May 2013:
https://www.un.org/en/ga/president/67/pdf/calendar/20130516-energywater.pdf
Security Council Meeting, 20 July 2011: Maintenance of international peace and security - Impact of climate change:
http://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/meetings/2011

UN Entities & Related Bodies

United Nations & Climate Change :
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/
United Nations Climate Change (UNFCCC):
http://unfccc.int/
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):
http://www.ipcc.ch/

UN Treaties, Declarations and selected UN documents

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change:
https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/conveng.pdf
Kyoto Protocol:
https://unfccc.int/process/the-kyoto-protocol
Bali Road Map:
https://unfccc.int/process/conferences/pastconferences/bali-climate-change-conference-december-2007/statements-and-resources/Bali-Road-Map-Documents
Cancun Agreements:
https://unfccc.int/process/conferences/the-big-picture/milestones/the-cancun-agreements
Durban Outcomes:
https://unfccc.int/process/conferences/the-big-picture/milestones/outcomes-of-the-durban-conference
Doha Climate Gateway:
https://unfccc.int/process/conferences/the-big-picture/milestones/the-doha-climate-gateway
Warsaw Outcomes:
https://unfccc.int/process/conferences/the-big-picture/milestones/outcomes-of-the-warsaw-conference
Lima Call for Climate Action:
http://undocs.org/FCCC/CP/2014/10/Add.1
Paris Agreement:
https://unfccc.int/process/the-paris-agreement/what-is-the-paris-agreement
Marrakech Action Proclamation for Our Climate and Sustainable Development:
http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/marrakech_nov_2016/application/pdf/marrakech_action_proclamation.pdf
Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action:
http://unfccc.int/files/paris_agreement/application/pdf/marrakech_partnership_for_global_climate_action.pdf
Key achievements from COP23:
https://cop23.com.fj/key-achievements-cop23/
Katowice Climate Package:
https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/katowice-climate-package
UN documents on “climate change” – click here

Selected Statements and Speeches by UN Officials

In tackling causes of climate change, no one can be left behind, Secretary-General tells Tokyo Development Conference on African development (SG/SM/19714-DEV/3409, 29 August 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19714.doc.htm
In tackling causes of climate change, no one can be left behind, Secretary-General tells Tokyo Development Conference on African development (SG/SM/19714-DEV/3409, 29 August 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19714.doc.htm
Hunger increasing worldwide due partly to climate change, Deputy Secretary-General warns at launch of 2019 Report on Food Security, Nutrition (DSG/SM/1306-DEV/3403, 15 July 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1306.doc.htm
To tackle climate change, leaders must tax pollution, not people, end coal plant construction by 2020, Secretary-General urges, concluding Pacific Region visit (SG/SM/19584-ENV/DEV/1953, 18 May 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19584.doc.htm
Secretary-General hails Fiji’s courage, conviction in taking on global challenges, including climate, development, peacekeeping, in address to Parliament (SG/SM/19582, 16 May 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19582.doc.htm
Pacific Islands have unique moral authority to speak out on climate change, Secretary-General emphasizes at Forum Leaders Meeting (SG/SM/19579-ENV/DEV/1951, 15 May 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19579.doc.htm
Sustainable floating cities can offer solutions to climate change threats facing urban areas, Deputy Secretary-General tells First High-Level Meeting (DSG/SM/1269-ENV/DEV/1936-HAB/248, 3 April 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1269.doc.htm
In Video Message for Earth Hour, Secretary-General highlights upcoming Climate Action Summit, stressing ‘there are solutions’ (SG/SM/19525-ENV/DEV/1934, 30 March 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19525.doc.htm
World leaders must set radical change in motion to tackle climate threats, foster green growth, Secretary-General tells High-Level General Assembly Meeting (SG/SM/19518-GA/12132-ENV/DEV/1933, 28 March 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19518.doc.htm
Marking World Observance, Secretary-General calls for upholding right of access to water for all amid climate change challenges (SG/SM/19503-OBV/1868-ENV/DEV/1931, 21 March 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19503.doc.htm
Climate action must happen now, Deputy Secretary-General underlines, in remarks to Economic Commission for Europe Forum on Sustainable Development (DSG/SM/1261-ENV/DEV/1932-REC/276, 21 March 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1261.doc.htm
Climate change: Let’s listen to the world’s young people / UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in an op-ed in The Guardian, 15 March 2019: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/sg-guardian-op-ed.shtml
Deputy Secretary-General stresses need to change consumption, production patterns while tackling biodiversity loss, climate change, at Environment Assembly (DSG/SM/1259-ENV/DEV/1929-UNEP/342, 14 March 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1259.doc.htm
Africa can be model for climate resilience by deploying digital revolution, nature-based solutions, Deputy Secretary-General tells ‘One Planet Summit’ (DSG/SM/1258-ENV/DEV/1928-UNEP/341, 14 March 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1258.doc.htm
Secretary-General urges addressing climate change crisis together, in Remarks to United Nations Association of USA Global Summit (SG/SM/19469-NGO/887, 22 February 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19469.doc.htm
Secretary-General, concerned that last four years are warmest on record, echoes calls for more climate ambition ahead of September Summit (SG/SM/19455-ENV/DEV/1921, 6 February 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19455.doc.htm
Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions vital amid catastrophic climate change scenario, Secretary-General tells International Renewable Energy Agency Meeting (SG/SM/19429-EN/327-ENV/DEV/1918, 10 January 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19429.doc.htm
When cooperation works, world wins, Secretary-General says in 2019 New Year Message, calling for greater efforts to confront climate change threat (SG/SM/19422, 29 December 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19422.doc.htm
Climate change ‘running much faster than we are’, says Secretary-General, stressing importance of Paris Agreement, multilateralism (SG/SM/19411-DEV/3382-ENV/DEV/1917, 16 December 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19411.doc.htm
Greater ambition in mitigation, finance, technology key to defeating climate change, Secretary-General says as Conference of Parties concludes (SG/SM/19409-ENV/DEV/1916, 15 December 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19409.doc.htm
Katowice must be dawn of new determination to unleash Paris Agreement’s promise, Secretary-General tells High-Level Event at Climate Change Talks (SG/SM/19404-ENV/DEV/1915, 12 December 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19404.doc.htm
Addressing Green Growth Summit, Secretary-General calls for expanded partnerships, funding surge to tackle climate change impacts (SG/SM/19371-ENV/DEV/1906, 28 November 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19371.doc.htm
World leaders ‘cannot be sleepwalkers’ about climate change, rising nationalism, Secretary-General stresses at Peace Forum, calling for reformed multilateralism (SG/SM/19338, 11 November 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19338.doc.htm
Two years to runaway climate change ‘if we do not change course’, Secretary-General warns partnering for green growth, global goals (SG/SM/19311-ENV/DEV/1898, 19 October 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19311.doc.htm
Climate change ‘absolute’ United Nations priority, Secretary-General tells Pacific Island Leaders, stressing ‘your voices’, experiences pivotal (SG/SM/19262-ENV/DEV/1890, 28 September 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19262.doc.htm
Scaled-up action to implement Paris targets crucial for outpacing climate change, Secretary-General tells One Planet Summit (SG/SM/19250-ENV/DEV/1885, 26 September 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19250.doc.htm
Planet at risk for irreversible damage if world does not act fast to implement Paris Commitments, Secretary-General warns during Climate Change Event (SG/SM/19245-ENV/DEV/1883, 26 September 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19245.doc.htm
Rising seas, shrinking lakes, extreme weather events show how large threat of climate change looms, Deputy Secretary-General tells Group of Friends (DSG/SM/1222-ENV/DEV/1887, 26 September 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/dsgsm1222.doc.htm
Most vulnerable countries depend on global commitment to reduce emissions, create green economy, Deputy Secretary-General tells Leaders Dialogue on Climate Change (DSG/SM/1219-ENV/DEV/1884, 26 September 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/dsgm1219.doc.htm
Companies ‘a driving force’ in fostering peace, pushing governments to assume climate change commitments, Secretary-General tells Private Sector Forum (SG/SM/19235, 24 September 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19235.doc.htm
Leaders must be bold, ready to forge solutions for climate change, gender disparity, Secretary-General says at Opening of General Assembly Session (SG/SM/19221-GA/12055, 18 September 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19221.doc.htm
Addressing climate change, Secretary-General says world’s fate is in our hands, requires rising to challenge before it’s too late (SG/SM/19205-ENV/DEV/1879, 10 September 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19205.doc.htm
Impacts of climate change go well beyond ‘the strictly environmental’, Deputy Secretary-General tells Security Council Debate (DSG/SM/1195-SC/13418-ENV/DEV/1861, 11 July 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/dsgsm1195.doc.htm
Use Eco Forum Global Annual Conference to explore increasing climate ambition, reduce urban air pollution, Secretary-General encourages China (SG/SM/19128-ENV/DEV/1859, 6 July 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19128.doc.htm
Deputy Secretary-General, in video message for launch of African Women Leaders Network, notes their crucial role to sustain peace, address climate change across region (DSG/SM/1170-WOM/2148, 26 April 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/dsgsm1170.doc.htm
Deputy Secretary-General urges carbon pricing coalition, other partners to scale up efforts ahead of 2020 Climate Summit (DSG/SM/1164-ENV/DEV/1845, 19 April 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/dsgsm1164.doc.htm
Direction of travel is towards delivery on Paris Agreement, Deputy Secretary-General tells New Climate Economy Summit (DSG/SM/1162-ENV/DEV/1844, 19 April 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/dsgsm1162.doc.htm
Inequality ‘systemic and growing’, Secretary-General tells forum amid call to raise collective ambition for tackling climate change by harnessing clean, green energy (SG/SM/18980, 10 April 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm18980.doc.htm
Secretary-General urges states at Marine Environment Protection Committee Meeting to adopt ambitious strategy aligned with climate goals (SG/SM/18979-ENV/DEV/1843-SEA/2068, 9 April 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm18979.doc.htm
Deputy Secretary-General warns earth likely to overshoot climate targets by 2040s, calls for ‘final push’ to limit warming ahead of 2020 Conference (DSG/SM/1153-ENV/DEV/1842, 5 April 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/dsgsm1153.doc.htm
As forests are ‘lungs of planet’, tree-planting contributes to mitigating climate change impact, Secretary-General says at event commemorating international day (SG/SM/18945-ENV/DEV/1837-OBV/1778, 21 March 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm18945.doc.htm
Consistently align financial flows with green outcomes, Deputy Secretary-General urges Investor Risk Summit, citing record economic losses from climate disasters (DSG/SM/1125-ECO/279-ENV/DEV/1832, 31 January 2018): https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/dsgsm1125.doc.htm

Further information

Sustainable Development Goal 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts:
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climatechange/
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change-2/
ActNow Climate Campaign: http://www.un.org/actnow
Global Issues on the UN Agenda: Climate Change:
http://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/climate-change/index.html
UN child rights committee voices support for children campaigning on climate change (27 September 2019): https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25068
Countries violate rights over climate change, argue youth activists in landmark UN complaint (24 September 2019): https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/09/1047292
Audiovisual Library of International Law
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1992 / Introductory note by Laurence Boisson de Chazournes: http://legal.un.org/avl/ha/ccc/ccc.html
- Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1997 / Introductory note by Laurence Boisson de Chazournes: http://legal.un.org/avl/ha/kpccc/kpccc.html
- Climate Change and Population Movement / by Mr. Walter Kälin: http://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Kaelin_DPR.html
- Protection of the Atmosphere and Codification and Progressive Development of International Law / by Mr. Shinya Murase: http://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Murase_EL.html
- Climate Change and the Protection of the Ocean / by Dr. Nilüfer Oral: http://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Oral_EL.html
- The International Law of Climate Change after the Paris Agreement / by Mr. Jorge E. Viñuales: http://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Vinuales_EL.html
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Digitization Blog - Convention on Climate Change: https://un4.me/2khNCzy
UN Dag Hammarskjöld Library Research Guides - Climate Change - A Global Issue: http://research.un.org/en/climate-change
United Nations Library Geneva Research Guide on Climate Change: https://libraryresources.unog.ch/climatechange
Joint World Bank - IMF Library Research Guide – Climate Change: http://researchguides.worldbankimflib.org/ClimateChange
INTERVIEW: "Climate change is in everybody's backyard" – Robert Redford (UN News Centre, 1 July 2015): http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=51321

Selection of Publications available online

UNEP Publications on Climate Change:
http://www.unep.org/publications/
UNFCCC Publications:
https://unfccc.int/about-us/press-and-media/publications
IPCC Reports (including IPCC Assessment Reports):
https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/
General recommendation No. 37 (2018) on the gender-related dimensions of disaster risk reduction in the context of climate change (CEDAW/C/GC/37, 13 March 2018):
http://undocs.org/CEDAW/C/GC/37
The Emissions Gap Report 2018 (UNEP):
https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2018
Climate Change Action for Sustainable Development (DESA, October 2015):
http://un4.me/1icXmUr
Turn Down the Heat Reports (World Bank):
http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange/publication/turn-down-the-heat
Protecting People Crossing Borders in the Context of Climate Change: Normative Gaps and Possible Approaches (UNHCR, February 2012):
http://www.unhcr.org/4f33f1729.html

Selected Articles in UN journals

Moving from Climate Talk to Climate Action (UN Chronicle, 20/9/2019): https://www.un.org/en/article-20-sept-2019
Realizing a Climate-Resilient and Prosperous Africa (UN Chronicle, 19/9/2019): https://www.un.org/en/un-chronicle/realizing-climate-resilient-and-prosperous-africa
Why You Should Not Miss the Opportunity to Engage in the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference (UN Chronicle, 22/8/2019): https://www.un.org/en/un-chronicle/why-you-should-not-miss-opportunity-engage-68th-united-nations-civil-society-conference
Can Climate Change Lead to Armed Conflict? A Direct Link is Not Obvious, But Risks are Clear (Politically Speaking, 21 June 2019): https://dppa-ps.atavist.com/can-climate-change-lead-to-armed-conflict-
Global Climate Action: Innovations and Best Practices (Our Planet, December 2015): https://un4.me/2XeQmMn
Climate for life (Our Planet, November 2014): https://bit.ly/2mmyZs5
The Future is priceless (Our Planet, December 2013): https://bit.ly/2LsrJpw
UN Chronicle, Volume XLVI, Number 3&4, 2009, Special Climate Change Issue -“To protect succeeding generations...”: http://unchronicle.un.org/issue/special-climate-change-issue-protect-succeeding-generations/

4 November 2019
not an official document - for information only
http://archive.unric.org/en/unric-library/29084

UN in your language