05.11.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on Climate & Security

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Thank you, Madame President.

I also want to thank our briefers, Executive Director Andersen, Professor Jalloh and Miss Dinat, for their insightful remarks. And let me further commend Sierra Leone for taking the initiative in calling this critical meeting. And welcome the participation of Her Excellency Deputy Foreign Minister Alghali

Madame President,

Environmental damage is often a silent casualty of war, yet its consequences endure for generations, undermining recovery, resilience and peace itself.

Our briefers today have underscored the urgency of integrating environmental protection into our conflict prevention and resolution efforts. 

In this context, allow me to highlight three messages

First,

Across the agenda of this Council, we see that the profound environmental scars of war threaten stability and human well-being. 

In Ukraine, Russia’s war has ravaged ecosystems, polluted water sources and devastated critical infrastructure, threatening livelihoods and long-term stability.  This war has impacted Ukraine’s ability to fulfil its traditional role as a major contributor to food security.   

In Gaza, two years of violence has severely worsened water scarcity, overwhelmed waste management systems and damaged agricultural lands. Despite the ceasefire, the devastating impact of the destruction will be felt by the Palestinians in Gaza for many years to come.

The same is true for Sudan, where conflict-related damage at oil refineries and other critical infrastructure, has led to contamination, fires and environmental hazards that undermine recovery efforts. 

These examples demonstrate that environmental degradation is both a consequence and a driver of insecurity. It is an issue that clearly cuts across agendas and silos, and one that requires a similarly integrated and comprehensive response.

In this regard, Denmark supports the Principles on the Protection of Environment in Relation to Armed Conflict. These are principles, which establish accountability frameworks crucial for safeguarding environmental integrity during warfare.  

Second, Madame President,

Addressing these issues requires recognition of the inherent links between climate, peace and security. To put it simply, war accelerates climate change and exacerbates environmental vulnerabilities, as we also heard this morning from Executive Director Andersen.  Conflict damages infrastructure, releases greenhouse gases and diminishes natural carbon sinks, further fuelling climate change.

The impact of these conflicts is often uneven, with disproportionate effects on countries already vulnerable to climate shocks, weakening their capacity to adapt and respond. 

In Sudan, the ongoing conflict has halted critical climate adaptation programmes. And the country has grappled with severe droughts, desertification and flooding.  Displacement caused by conflict has intensified environmental pressures, leading to deforestation, water resource depletion and pollution.  Meanwhile, humanitarian funding remains insufficient to address these connected crises.

In Sudan, and in conflicts around the world, strengthening international humanitarian law and international human rights law, safeguarding ecosystems, mitigating environmental harm, and ensuring post-conflict environmental restoration are vital components of a comprehensive peacebuilding approach. 

They must be central to any response during and post-conflict.

Third, Madame President,

The rule of law, human rights and preventive action is essential. Indigenous Peoples’ land rights are not just legal obligations, but are vital for peace and protection of the environment. Furthermore, integrating climate and environmental risk assessments into all phases of conflict response is critical. 

Denmark as co-coordinator of the Joint Pledgers Group on Climate, Peace and Security with Sierra Leone, will continue to support the inclusion, retention and strengthening of language related to environmental and climate change in UN missions mandates. We also support UN Missions and country teams, including through the support of the Climate Security Mechanism, for continuing to work closely with regional organizations in this regard. 

In closing, Madame President,

The scale of environmental devastation caused by conflicts accelerates humanitarian crises and ecological collapse.  These impacts deepen vulnerability to the climate crisis, erode community resilience and threaten human security. Denmark’s view is clear: addressing these threats falls squarely within the mandate of this Council. 

Decisive and coordinated efforts are needed to safeguard our shared environment, protect communities and pave the way for sustainable peace.

Denmark looks forward to working with all Council members to this end.

I thank you.

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