China at the U.N. — on climate change

In a meeting on Tuesday China told the United Nations Security Council it doesn’t have the competence to deal with climate change issues:

The developing countries believe that the Security Council has neither the professional competence in handling climate change — nor is it the right decision-making place for extensive participation leading up to widely acceptable proposals.

China was responding to the British foreign secretary’s call for that body to deal with climate change’s effects on peace and security. Developing countries are divided on the issue of the U.N. taking on climate change in the Security Council. While Secretary General Ban Ki-moon supports Britain’s position, he has called for the creation of a new United Nations Environmental Organization.