The Greens believe climate change is becoming a threat to peace and security.

The party wants to see the issues recognised by the UN Security Council - and said New Zealand can help make that happen.

Global affairs spokesman Kennedy Graham said our term as president of the Security Council this month is an opportunity.

He said member states have made similar moves in the past.

"Each time it has made a stronger statement, but it hasn't quite got itself to declaring climate change, yet, to be a threat to peace and security - it needs to."