04.10.2024
Global

The Impact of Climate Change & Food Insecurity on the Maintenance of International Peace & Security

Conflict, climate extremes and economic shocks are fueling an unprecedented food crisis. This report summarises the UNSC High-level Open Debate on climate change, food insecurity and the maintenance of international peace convened by Guyana. It dispells common myths and proposes operative measures for the wider UN system, international organisations, Member States and civil society.
UNSC Guyana

On 13th and 14th February 2024, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), on the initiative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, convened a high-level open debate to examine the impact of climate change and food insecurity on the maintenance of international peace and security, prompting a discussion on the complex and interconnected relationship between climate, food security and conflict. 

The food crisis is a result of interconnected, mutually reinforcing drivers – conflict and insecurity, economic shocks and weather extremes. On the one hand, unstable food prices and associated food insecurity are a critical risk to social stability. On the other hand, conflicts can cause a severe reduction in access to, and the availability of, nutritious, affordable, and safe foods, essential health and nutrition services and humanitarian assistance.

During the high-level open debate on climate change and food insecurity, Member States’ contributions showed growing consensus that the UNSC should address the issue of food security and especially revolved related around climate finance, agriculture, inequalities and the priorities of Small Island Developing States. They also demonstrated a readiness to collaborate with different stakeholders, among them regional (economic) organisations and civil society, to advance the shared goal of a more peaceful and sustainable world. 

This report: 

  • Summarises the current debate around the climate, food insecurity and conflict nexus
  • Dispells the myths: Should climate and security be linked? And is climate security an issue for the UNSC? 
  • Suggests a way forward by proposing operative measures that the wider UN system, international organisations, Member States and civil society can take and highlights the precedent which this can be built on.

This report was authored and reviewed by adelphi and the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations.