UNRIC Library Backgrounder: Climate Change

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 – UN Climate Change Conference, 9-20 November 2020, Glasgow, UK: https://unfccc.int/news/united-kingdom-in-partnership-with-italy-to-host-cop-26/cmp-16/cma-3
• 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
  • 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
• UN documents on “climate change” – click here

Selected Statements and Speeches by UN Officials

• Outlining Road Map for Change in 2020, Secretary-General says world must unite to tackle nuclear menace, rising tensions, climate emergency (SG/SM/19945, 22 January 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm19945.doc.htm
• Efforts to mobilize political will in fighting climate change must be redoubled, Secretary-General tells International Renewable Energy Agency Assembly (SG/SM/19936, 11 January 2020): https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm19936.doc.htm
• Global Community must not give up tackling climate crisis, Secretary-General says, expressing disappointment with results of Twenty-Fifth Conference (SG/SM/19914-ENV/DEV/2034, 15 December 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19914.doc.htm
• Telling World Youth Forum ‘You are critical agents of change’, Secretary-General urges them to keep pushing for human rights, climate crisis solutions (SG/SM/19913, 14 December 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19913.doc.htm
• Transforming power, city design, land use with green economy strategies brings solutions to crisis, Secretary-General tells Event on Climate Action for Jobs (SG/SM/19911-ENV/DEV/2033, 12 December 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19911.doc.htm
• A long way from carbon-neutral world by 2050, big emitters must boost national commitments, ‘Do much more’, Secretary-General tells Climate Event (SG/SM/19907-ENV/DEV/2032, 11 December 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19907.doc.htm
• Secretary-General, at Climate Event, calls on business leaders to unite behind science, invest decisively in ‘Net-zero’ emissions future (SG/SM/19906-ENV/DEV/2031, 11 December 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19906.doc.htm
• More resources needed to protect life-essential plant health threatened by climate crisis, says Secretary-General in Message for International Year launch (SG/SM/19890-ENV/DEV/2025-OBV/1941, 2 December 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19890.doc.htm
• Secretary-General urges heads of state, government to lead climate action drive, remove obstacles for business, communities (SG/SM/19888-ENV/DEV/2024, 2 December 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19888.doc.htm
• Secretary-General stresses need for ‘maximum pressure’ on big emitters, at United Nations Climate Change Conference (SG/SM/19886-ENV/DEV/2022, 2 December 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19886.doc.htm
• Tackling climate crisis ‘is a battle for our lives’, Secretary-General tells Sustainable Development Forum, stressing solutions exist through innovation (SG/SM/19874-ENV/DEV/2020, 25 November 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19874.doc.htm
• Current pace will cost us fight against climate change, Deputy Secretary-General warns at meeting of Resident Coordinators with member states (DSG/SM/1372-DEV/3428, 20 November 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1372.doc.htm
• Urban areas where climate battle will be won or lost, Secretary-General says on World Cities Day, calls for innovation in transport, building design (SG/SM/19835-OBV/1931, 29 October 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19835.doc.htm
• ‘Ambitious replenishment’ of Green Climate Fund key to helping developing countries achieve carbon-neutral growth, Secretary-General tells Pledging Conference (SG/SM/19827-ENV/DEV/2015, 24 October 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19827.doc.htm
• Pave way for carbon taxation as major global trend, Secretary-General urges Finance Ministers’ Climate Meeting, noting emissions’ pricing raised $44 Billion in 2018 (SG/SM/19821-ECO/318-ENV/DEV/2011, 19 October 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19821.doc.htm
• Climate battle ‘will largely be won or lost’ in Cities, Secretary-General tells World Mayors Summit (SG/SM/19808-ENV/DEV/2009, 11 October 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19808.doc.htm
• For every dollar invested in climate-resilient infrastructure six dollars are saved, Secretary-General Says in Message for Disaster Risk Reduction Day (SG/SM/19807-IHA/1472-OBV/1927, 10 October 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19807.doc.htm
• As community backbone, rural women, girls represent powerful force for building climate resilience, Secretary-General says in International Day Message (SG/SM/19803-OBV/1923-WOM/2193, 10 October 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19803.doc.htm
• ‘Climate emergency is the fight of our lives, for our lives’, Secretary-General tells Summit, urging that no more new coal power plants be built after 2020 (SG/SM/19759-ENV/DEV/1997, 23 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19759.doc.htm
• Nature striking back with fury, Secretary-General tells Climate Action Summit, calling ‘Apocalyptic’ Bahamas destruction ‘the future — if we do not act now’ (SG/SM/19757-ENV/DEV/1996, 23 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19757.doc.htm
• Deputy Secretary-General stresses duty to build climate-resilient cities, at ‘Seizing the Urban Opportunity’ Event (DSG/SM/1332-ENV/DEV/1992, 22 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1332.doc.htm
• Climate finance hits $43 billion in 2018 but more funds vital to enact Paris Accord, Deputy Secretary-General says at Multilateral Development Banks Event (DSG/SM/1331-ECO/309-ENV/DEV/1991, 22 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1331.doc.htm
• Deputy Secretary-General cites 1.3 million lives, $3 trillion in disaster-related human, economic losses, at Mitigation Event of Climate Action Summit (DSG/SM/1328-ENV/DEV/1988, 22 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1328.doc.htm
• You have unique moral authority to speak out on climate crisis, Secretary-General tells Pacific Island Leaders, pledging support for their priorities (SG/SM/19753-ENV/DEV/1986, 21 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19753.doc.htm
• ‘Go on’ mobilizing, holding adults, world leaders accountable for climate action, Secretary-General says at Youth Summit, praising grass-roots initiatives (SG/SM/19752-ENV/DEV/1983, 21 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19752.doc.htm
• Be blunt, challenge us to tackle environmental crisis, Deputy Secretary-General encourages young people during first-ever Youth Climate Action Summit (DSG/SM/1327-ENV/DEV/1987, 21 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1327.doc.htm
• Chinese leadership critical to tackle climate change, Deputy Secretary-General says at anniversary reception for People’s Republic of China’s founding (DSG/SM/1325, 20 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1325.doc.htm
• Bold plans, faster action key to cutting greenhouse emissions 45 per cent by 2030, Deputy Secretary-General tells United Nations Development Programme Climate Event (DSG/SM/1324-DEV/3411-ENV/DEV/1981, 18 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1324.doc.htm
• Stakes to replace coal with clean energy ‘much too high to be politically’ safe, Deputy Secretary-General warns at press briefing ahead of Climate Action Summit (DSG/SM/1323-ENV/DEV/1980, 17 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1323.doc.htm
• World peace faces ‘new danger’ from climate emergency, Secretary-General says in international message, calling for united response (SG/SM/19736-ENV/DEV/1979-OBV/1914, 13 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19736.doc.htm
• No time left to lose in addressing climate crisis, Deputy Secretary-General warns leaders at Conference of Desertification Convention signatories (DSG/SM/1320-ENV/DEV/1976, 9 September 2019): https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1320.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
• 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

Further information

• UN News Centre on Climate Change: https://news.un.org/en/news/topic/climate-change
• 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
• 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
• Dag Hammarskjöld Library Digitization Blog – Convention on Climate Change: https://bit.ly/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/
• The Emissions Gap Report 2019 (UNEP): https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2019
• 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

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://bit.ly/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/