Items on the Security Council’s agenda must pose a threat to international peace and security. British officials argue global warming is a threat to security because people displaced by rising sea levels in low lying countries will seek refuge elsewhere. They also noted that the US forced the council to discuss Aids in 2000.

Last week, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called climate change as threatening to mankind as war. But the British initiative, which requires unanimous consent from council members, has met skepticism from the US and China.