LONDON (CU)_Climate change is a “grave” security threat, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned ahead of the United Nations Security Council session due to be held on Tuesday (Feb 23). For the first time since 1992, the United Kingdom will be chairing the meeting, which will include speakers such as UN Secretary General António Guterres and Sudanese climate activist Nisreen Elsaim.
At the meeting, which will be held virtually, PM Johnson is expected to warn that increasing climate change risks worsening insecurity, conflict and displacement. Speaking ahead of the event, the Prime Minister noted that “a warming planet is driving insecurity”.
“The UNSC is tasked with confronting the gravest threats to global peace and security, and that’s exactly what climate change represents,” he said.
“From the communities uprooted by extreme weather and hunger, to warlords capitalising on the scramble for resources – a warming planet is driving insecurity.”
He further argued that slashing carbon emissions and assisting developing nations to adapt to climate change would protect global “prosperity and security”.
However, despite such claims and declarations, the Prime Minister himself has been criticised for his performance at home, especially with his Green Homes Grant scheme – a crucial project to cut emissions from home heating – being in disarray after the chancellor pulled out funds.
Moreover, PM Johnson has been promoting a £27bn road-building programme, while his government is building the high-speed rail HS2, which are likely to be adding to carbon emissions until the back half of the century.
On the other hand, while urging other nations to relinquish coal, the Prime Minister has permitted a new coal mine in Cumbria, as climate activists demand PM Johnson to match his words with his deeds.
This year is providing the British leader with a remarkable stage for ambition on climate action, especially with the United Kingdom set to host the COP26 climate summit in November. The summit is likely to be the most significant round of talks since the UN Climate Change Conference in 2015, during which the historical Paris Agreement was secured.
