New Delhi: India voted on Monday night against a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution on climate change and security co-authored by Ireland and Niger that sought to link climate change and security. According to reports, the draft resolution was also vetoed by Russia. New Delhi argued that the draft resolution sought to shift responsibility for addressing climate change to the United Nations Security Council when commitments already exist under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC), adding that the motive was that “decisions can be taken without the involvement of most developing countries without recognizing the consensus” and that “a few states will have carte blanche to decide on all climate-related issues”. He also demanded that “developed countries provide $ 1 trillion in climate finance at the earliest” and that “climate finance needs to be tracked with the same diligence as climate change mitigation.”

The draft resolution stated that “the adverse effects of climate change may” lead … to social tensions … exacerbate, prolong or contribute to the risk of future conflicts and instability and posing a major risk to peace, security and stability. global ”.

In “explanation of vote,” Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in New York, TS Tirumurti, said: Either problem. In fact, the attempt to do so appears to be motivated by a desire to escape the responsibility of the appropriate forum and distract the world’s attention from a reluctance to act where it matters … India understands the challenge of other developing countries and shares them fully and will continue to voice their concerns … To move forward decisively, access to climate finance has become essential. Developed countries must provide $ 1 trillion in climate finance at the earliest. Climate finance needs to be tracked with the same diligence as climate mitigation. Developed countries have not kept their promises.

Mr. Tirumurti added: “It is important to recognize this because today’s attempt to link the climate to security really seeks to mask the lack of progress on critical issues of the UNFCCC process. We are concerned about the way this issue has been brought before the UNSC … why do we need a UNSC resolution to act on climate change when we have commitments under the UNFCCC for a concrete climate action. The honest answer is that there is no real requirement for this resolution except to bring climate change within the framework of the United Nations Security Council. The reason is that decisions can be made without the participation of most developing countries without recognizing the consensus. And all of this can be done in the name of preserving international peace and security. “

Mr. Tirumurti added: “If the UNSC takes responsibility for this issue, a few states will have free rein to decide on all climate-related issues. This is clearly neither desirable nor acceptable. Today’s draft Security Council resolution appears to undermine the hard-won consensus we reached in Glasgow. This draft resolution will only sow discord among all members of the United Nations. This sends the wrong message to developing countries … India had no choice but to vote against (the draft resolution).

According to certain information, the “co-holders (Ireland and Niger) convened a reading of the preliminary draft with all the members of the Council on September 30, then held a round of negotiations on October 11. It appears that during the October 11 meeting, deep divisions in the Council on the issue became evident: twelve members – Estonia, France, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Niger, Norway, Tunisia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, UK, US and Vietnam – expressed support for a more systematic integration of climate-related security risks into the work of the Council, requiring only minor adjustments to the pre-draft. However, China, India and Russia have apparently expressed deep skepticism about the need for Council engagement on this issue. China appears to have expressed “strong reservations” about the need for such a resolution and Russia has said it will no longer commit to the text.

Reports further said ahead of the vote that “India and Russia have also apparently highlighted concerns about a ‘safe’ approach to the issue, expressing apprehension that the Council may take coercive action to address the issues. challenges posed by climate change … The co-holders of the pen then placed a draft text under silence procedure on November 29. China, India and Russia subsequently broke the silence, issuing almost identical letters to Council members opposing the draft resolution, arguing that there was “no clear scientific basis for equate climate change with security issues “.

…