UNRIC Library Backgrounder: Climate Change

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ActNow Climate Campaign
https://www.un.org/en/actnow/

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 Events

• COP 26 – Glasgow Climate Change Conference, 31 October – 12 November 2021: https://unfccc.int/cop26/virtual
  https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/conferences/glasgow-climate-change-conference
  https://ukcop26.org/
  • COP26: SDG or NDC? Our guide to the language you need to know (UN News, 26 October 2021): https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/10/1104022
  • see also: https://unric.org/en/unric-cop26-sdg/

• Security Council Meeting, 9 December 2021: Maintenance of international
  peace and security: security in the context of terrorism and climate change: https://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/meetings/2021
• High-level thematic debate on “Delivering climate action: for people, planet and prosperity”, 26 October 2021: https://www.un.org/pga/76/event/deliver_climate_action/#, https://bit.ly/3pHAhjA, https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/10/1104052
• Security Council Meeting, 23 September 2021: Maintenance of international peace and security – Climate and security: https://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/meetings/2021
• Climate Summit, 23 September 2019: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/2019-climate-action-summit
  • 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
• 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://bit.ly/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 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
• The Glasgow Climate Pact – Key Outcomes from COP26: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-glasgow-climate-pact-key-outcomes-from-cop26
• UN documents on “climate change” – click here

Selected Statements and Speeches by UN Officials

• Outlining priorities for 2022, Secretary-General underscores fighting pandemic, reforming global financial system, tackling climate crisis, delivering peace (SG/SM/21113, 21 January 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sgsm21113.doc.htm
• As climate crisis worsens, more investment urgently needed to ensure Net Zero emissions future, Deputy Secretary-General Tells International Renewable Energy Agency Assembly (DSG/SM/1677, 15 January 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/dsgsm1677.doc.htm
• Climate change ‘a multiplier effect’, aggravating instability, conflict, terrorism, Secretary-General warns Security Council (SG/SM/21074, 9 December 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21074.doc.htm
• Global Environment Facility ‘a trusted partner’ in assisting developing countries with climate change efforts, Secretary-General says on occasion of anniversary (SG/SM/21072, 9 December 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21072.doc.htm
• From poverty to climate crisis, ‘connect the dots’ among drivers of instability, Secretary-General tells Security Council Debate on Conflict Prevention (SG/SM/21027, 16 November 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21027.doc.htm
• Glasgow Compromise not enough to save planet, Secretary-General Says, urging continued fight against climate crisis as world steps into ‘emergency mode’ (SG/SM/21022, 13 November 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21022.doc.htm
• Climate action commitments must be concrete, verified to stop catastrophic temperature rise, Secretary‑General tells High‑Level Event (SG/SM/21017, 11 November 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21017.doc.htm
• Failure of just, equitable, inclusive transition to Net Zero will mean catastrophe, Secretary-General tells Caring for Climate Meeting (SG/SM/21015, 10 November 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21015.doc.htm
• Cities must lead climate action to keep 1.5°c global temperature rise goal within reach, Secretary-General says at Launch of Council on Urban Initiatives (SG/SM/21002, 3 November 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21002.doc.htm
• Deputy Secretary-General, in Video Message, applauds Climate Promise Champions, calling their contributions crucial to global efforts (DSG/SM/1661, 3 November 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/dsgsm1661.doc.htm
• Every country, region must commit to Net Zero Emissions, Secretary-General tells Vulnerable Countries Forum, calls for climate ambition among G20 Nations (SG/SM/21000, 2 November 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm21000.doc.htm
• Press Conference by Secretary-General António Guterres at United Nations Headquarters (SG/SM/20993, 26 October 2021 (on the launch of the Emissions Gap 2021 Report): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20993.doc.htm
• Carbon-burning development model ‘death sentence’ for people, planet, Secretary-General tells High-Level Meeting, urging bold climate action to limit global temperature rise (SG/SM/20994, 26 October 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20994.doc.htm
• Facing climate crisis, Secretary-General urges more funding for urban adaptation, resilience, marking World Cities Day (SG/SM/20983, 21 October 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20983.doc.htm
• Cities leading on climate, investing in green pandemic recovery, Secretary-General tells annual urban development event, calling for partners’ support (SG/SM/20967, 12 October 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20967.doc.htm
• ‘Genuinely concerned’ over slow progress on climate priorities, Secretary-General calls upon finance ministers to show leadership, weeks before Glasgow Meeting (SG/SM/20965, 12 October 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20965.doc.htm
• ‘Climate change doesn’t pause and neither must we’, Deputy Secretary-General says at TED Countdown, calling for money, solidarity to decarbonize global Economy (DSG/SM/1643, 12 October 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/dsgsm1643.doc.htm
• More funding, mitigation key for averting climate disaster, Secretary-General tells Paris Meeting, warning emissions to rise 16 per cent under current national plans (SG/SM/20953, 5 October 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20953.doc.htm
• Secretary-General, ahead of Climate Change Conference, urges governments to phase out coal, scale up nationally determined contributions, financing for adaptation (SG/SM/20941, 30 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20941.doc.htm
• ‘Keep raising your voices’ to hold governments, businesses accountable for climate crisis, Secretary-General tells youth at Milan Event (SG/SM/20940, 30 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20940.doc.htm
• Clean, renewable energy is ‘the difference between life and death’, will prevent climate catastrophe, Secretary-General tells High-Level Dialogue (SG/SM/20932, 24 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20932.doc.htm
• Secretary-General stresses need for greater ambition on climate adaptation, finance, mitigation, at virtual meeting with Pacific Islands Forum Leaders (SG/SM/20930, 23 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20930.doc.htm
• Global climate crisis’ dire impact on peace, security calls for bolder collective action, Secretary-General tells Security Council (SG/SM/20926, 23 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20926.doc.htm
• Private sector has critical role in ensuring access to vaccines, addressing climate crisis, Secretary-General tells Sustainable Business Forum (SG/SM/20924, 22 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20924.doc.htm
• Citing ‘Code Red for Humanity’ Warning, Deputy Secretary-General tells Business Forum combating climate crisis core in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (DSG/SM/1635, 22 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/dsgsm1635.doc.htm
• Nature-based solutions, actions offer hope for endangered planet, climate crisis, Deputy Secretary-General tells High-Level Event (DSG/SM/1634, 22 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/dsgsm1634.doc.htm
• Welcoming United States, China climate action announcements, Secretary-General says more worldwide efforts needed to avoid catastrophic 2.7°c global heating (SG/SM/20922, 21 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20922.doc.htm
• Upcoming Climate Summit at risk of failure, Paris Targets could ‘go up in smoke’, Secretary-General warns major economies forum, urging coalition-building (SG/SM/20908, 17 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20908.doc.htm
• Time for leaders to deliver climate action, or people of all countries will pay tragic price, Secretary-General warns, in statement on new report (SG/SM/20907, 17 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20907.doc.htm
• Launching ‘United in Science’ Climate Report, Secretary-General stresses need to prevent further irreversible damage, warning ‘we are out of time’ (SG/SM/20905, 16 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20905.doc.htm
• Decarbonization most crucial element of climate change solution, stresses Deputy Secretary-General, in Message to Energy Action Day Opening Session (DSG/SM/1629, 16 September 2021): https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/dsgsm1629.doc.htm

Further information

• UN News Centre on Climate Change: https://news.un.org/en/news/topic/climate-change
• UNDP Campaign: Don’t choose extinction – A message to humanity from Frankie the dinosaur: https://dontchooseextinction.com/
• 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/
• Global Issues on the UN Agenda – Climate Change:
  https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/climate-change
• Historic UN Human Rights case opens door to climate change asylum claims (21 January 2020): https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25482&LangID=E
• 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
  • Air, Atmosphere and Climate Change / by Paolo Galizzi: https://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Galizzi_EL.html
• Dag Hammarskjöld Library Digitization Blog – Convention on Climate Change: https://www.un.org/en/library/digitization-update-conv-climate-change
• 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: https://researchguides.worldbankimflib.org/ClimateChange
• Ask Dag! What is the United Nations doing about climate change?
  https://ask.un.org/faq/332864
• Ask Dag! What is the history of the Paris Agreement (2015)?
  https://ask.un.org/faq/120272
• 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

• UN News Centre on Climate Change: https://news.un.org/en/news/topic/climate-change
• 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/
• The Emissions Gap Report 2021 (UNEP): https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2021
• World Bank Climate Briefs: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange/publication/world-bank-group-cop26-climate-briefs
• 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
• Climate Change Action for Sustainable Development (DESA, October 2015): http://bit.ly/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