Statement by the Republic of Latvia
at the Open Debate of the Security Council on
“Addressing climate-related risks to international peace and security”
23 February 2021
Latvia recognizes the inherent danger of climate change as a non-traditional threat to the regional and international security. Climate change is steadily rising in the list of one of the most urgent threats to international peace and security and UN Security Council must pay due attention.
COVID-19 pandemic should not serve as an excuse for re-directing attention and putting off action. Instead, it should raise the awareness of the interlinkages between warming climate, nature under stress and day-to-day existence as we know it, and recovery should be embraced as an opportunity to build back better and greener.
The best way to diminish the threats posed by climate-fragility risks is to rapidly work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally. Latvia is committed to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and welcomes commitments that are equally as ambitious. It is of key importance for all countries to submit more ambitious climate targets in their new and updated Nationally Determined Contributions as we gear up for COP26 in Glasgow.
It is not coincidental that countries most affected by climate change are also more susceptible to conflicts and instability. Climate change amplifies existing vulnerabilities and risks reversing gains made over decades. Climate change and environmental degradation reinforces pressures on ecosystems and poses challenges to food and water security, which subsequently raises risks of displacement, hunger, poverty, violence and volatility of other socioeconomic circumstances.
Therefore comprehensive policy planning and implementation with regards to increasing adaptive capacities of countries play an essential role in minimizing risks associated with climate change, thereby also minimizing possibilities of conflict and instability. Preparing for adverse effects of climate change and setting up infrastructure and other preparedness measures to tackle the inevitable risks will help countries in reducing their vulnerability.
Response cannot be isolated. While setting ambitious national goals and taking urgent practical action is necessary, multilateral cooperation and efforts will define our ability to address climate change and adverse effects on global security.
Latvia strongly believes that mitigation of and adaptation to climate change is a collective responsibility. 2021 is a decisive year for climate action, and so it is a decisive year for the future of global security
UN Security Council needs to show greater leadership in addressing climate change more ambitiously and robustly. There are plenty of members on this Council alone whose countries suffer direct effects of climate change, and their experience could be used as a building block to mainstream climate and security in the Council’s work. Furthermore, climate change has broad horizontal impact, integration of climate and security into the Council’s agenda, including its conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts, would allow a more focused and efficient approach to many thematic issues. The new informal expert group of UN Security Council Member States on Climate and Security should power work towards more decisive Council’s action. Practically, there already are steps to take. For instance, Council should look for ways to address and limit ecological footprint left by the UN Missions and to strengthen partnerships with regional organizations and stakeholders.
We applaud the urgency that the UN Secretary-General has assigned to climate change as well as individual and regional initiatives in regard to this issue. We should keep adding instruments to address threats posed by climate change in the relevant UN initiatives. Latvia remains strongly committed to the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement. It provides the indispensable multilateral framework governing global climate action. In this regard, we commend the reprioritization and elevation of climate change and security by the newly appointed US Administration, including its formal rejoining the Paris Agreement.
Thank you!