By 2050, it is projected that 200 million people will require humanitarian assistance annually due to the devastating effects of climate change, creating one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time. Sneha Singal outlines potential methods of international cooperation to address this urgent crisis.
By 2050, it is projected that 200 million people will require humanitarian assistance annually due to the devastating effects of climate change, creating one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time. The 21st century has witnessed climate change transform from an environmental issue into a multifaceted global crisis, profoundly reshaping politics, societies, and human survival. Its consequences extend far beyond rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events, as a critical yet often neglected outcome of these environmental shifts is large-scale human displacement, giving rise to a category of individuals increasingly referred to as “climate refugees.” These “climate refugees,” also known as “environmental refugees” or “the world’s forgotten victims,” are individuals forced to flee their homes due to environmental degradation and climate-induced disasters. Climate change is not merely a challenge for existing refugees but a leading and accelerating cause of forced displacement globally.
Despite the urgency of this crisis, international frameworks continue to lack formal recognition of climate refugees, leaving millions of displaced individuals without adequate legal protection. The 1951 Refugee Convention, which serves as the cornerstone of international refugee law, narrowly defines refugees as individuals fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, while excluding those forced to migrate due to environmental degradation or climate-induced disasters. This gap leaves climate refugees without the legal status and rights granted to individuals fleeing war, political persecution, or ethnic conflict, further exacerbating their vulnerability.
The primary challenge in establishing an internationally accepted definition of climate refugees lies in the complexity of environmental migration. Environmental factors may drive people to migrate, but these are often intertwined with other socio-political and economic causes. Climate change rarely acts as a sole motivator for migration, as individuals may also be fleeing poverty, instability, or violence. Additionally, many climate refugees remain within the borders of their country, making them internally displaced persons rather than international refugees. This complicates their legal status as international refugee law traditionally applies to those who cross borders.
Despite these challenges, the urgency of the situation demands immediate action. One proposal is to expand the 1951 Refugee Convention to include climate refugees as it would provide a legal framework for their protection. This framework would ensure fair treatment for climate refugees worldwide and promote cooperation among countries to address the crisis together. Critics, on the other hand, argue that broadening the refugee definition could grant governments more discretion in asylum decisions, which would potentially undermine asylum rights, strain resources, and complicate the refugee determination process without clear legal criteria. Similarly, expanding the 1998 Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement to include environmentally-induced migration could be beneficial by establishing a framework for countries to respond to the internal displacement caused by climate change. However, as the guidelines are not legally binding, their practical impact is limited unless they are adopted by governments as part of their national laws and policies. Additionally, there have been calls for addressing the issue of climate refugees through international cooperation, particularly through bilateral agreements, as these could offer more tailored and flexible solutions. These agreements can facilitate shared responsibility, ensuring that both countries contribute to the welfare of displaced populations while providing specialised support for their needs and serve as a starting point to recognise these forgotten victims in the international community. Despite these advantages, such agreements remain rare and often fail to fully address the social and cultural integration of displaced populations into host communities, leaving gaps in the long-term stability and well-being of those affected.
One of the most promising solutions is to address the issue of climate-induced displacement is the establishment of a clear protocol under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) specifically focused on climate-induced migration. Such a protocol would provide a framework for the recognition, protection, and resettlement of climate refugees. While this proposal may face significant political challenges, particularly from wealthier nations reluctant to expand the refugee regime due to concerns about potential migrant influxes and the associated economic costs, addressing this issue remains imperative. Despite these political obstacles, it is essential for countries to collaborate beyond their political and economic interests in order to find a viable solution. Establishing a comprehensive legal framework for climate refugees would not only safeguard vulnerable populations but also ensure that the international community collectively responds to the growing challenges posed by climate change.
The issue of climate refugees is not only a legal one but also a moral one. The international community must take concrete steps to not only address the immediate needs of climate refugees but also tackle the root causes of climate change through comprehensive mitigation and adaptation efforts. As climate change impacts worsen, the urgency for a robust framework to safeguard climate refugees intensifies. It is crucial that the international community take immediate action to support and protect those affected by environmental disasters, emphasising the human toll of climate change and the urgent need for global cooperation.
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This post was originally published on LSE Human Rights.