'We must put out the fire first': Ban Ki-moon warns human rights rows must not derail climate action

Michael Holder
clock • 6 min read
Ban Ki-moon served as UN Secretary General from 2007-2016
Image:

Ban Ki-moon served as UN Secretary General from 2007-2016

Climate crisis should take diplomatic priority even where there may be fraught geopolitical tensions over challenging issues such as human rights, former UN Secretary-General suggests

World leaders should not allow wider geopolitical tensions over alleged human rights violations to derail efforts to combat the climate crisis, according to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, who...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Climate change

Why Greenland is indispensable to global climate science

Why Greenland is indispensable to global climate science

With no Antarctica-style treaty to protect Greenland, a US takeover could mean scientists lose access, writes Martin Siegert from the University of Exeter

Martin Siegert, University of Exeter.
clock 13 January 2026 • 5 min read
'Not just a climate phenomenon': El Niño-linked extreme weather could cost $35tr by 2100

'Not just a climate phenomenon': El Niño-linked extreme weather could cost $35tr by 2100

Recurring El Niño events 'quietly chip away' at health gains, causing trillions of dollars in economic losses, new study warns

Stuart Stone
clock 12 January 2026 • 5 min read
Justin Forsyth: 'Culture could be the secret weapon of change, but will need to step up a gear'

Justin Forsyth: 'Culture could be the secret weapon of change, but will need to step up a gear'

Earth FC's Justin Forsyth reflects on applying his skills from the humanitarian sector to organise football matches that can engage millions of fans with environmental action

Stuart Stone
clock 06 January 2026 • 7 min read