Lesson 13

Contemporary World

CLIMATE MIGRATION AND STATELESSNESS

What is Climate Migration?
Climate migration is the movement of people caused by climate-related factors such
as rising temperatures, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and environmental
degradation. It occurs when individuals or communities are forced to relocate temporarily or
permanently due to changes that make their current living conditions unsustainable.
It is also a subset of climate-related mobility that refers to movement driven by the
impact of sudden or gradual climate-exacerbated disasters, such as "abnormally heavy
rainfalls, prolonged droughts, desertification, environmental degradation, or sea-level
rise and cyclones". Gradual shifts in the environment tend to impact more people than sudden
disasters. The majority of climate migrants move internally within their own countries,
though a smaller number of climate-displaced people also move across national borders.

Causes of Climate Migration

Climate migration refers to the movement of individuals or communities compelled to
relocate due to climate-related factors that render their current environments uninhabitable or
unsustainable. The primary causes include:
1. Rising Temperatures and Droughts: Increased global temperatures can lead to
prolonged droughts, severely impacting water resources and agricultural productivity.
For instance, studies have shown that extreme weather events, such as droughts, have
influenced migration patterns between Mexico and the United States, as rural farmers
face economic hardships due to crop failures.
2. Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Erosion: Melting polar ice and the thermal expansion of
seawater contribute to rising sea levels, threatening low-lying coastal regions with
flooding and land loss. Small island nations like Kiribati and Tuvalu are at risk of
becoming uninhabitable, prompting governments to develop relocation strategies for
their populations.
3. Extreme Weather Events: The increasing frequency and severity of hurricanes,
floods, and wildfires destroy homes and infrastructure, leading to both temporary and
permanent displacement. In 2024, extreme weather events displaced approximately
800,000 people globally, highlighting the profound impact of climate change on
human mobility.
4. Environmental Degradation: Gradual changes such as desertification, soil
degradation, and water scarcity undermine livelihoods, especially in agrarian
communities, compelling people to seek more viable living conditions elsewhere. For
example, salinity intrusion in Bangladesh has made rice cultivation challenging,
forcing farmers to migrate in search of alternative livelihoods.
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These factors often interact, exacerbating vulnerabilities and influencing migration decisions.
Addressing the root causes of climate migration requires comprehensive strategies, including
climate mitigation, adaptation measures, and supportive migration policies.

Impacts of Climate Migration

Climate migration, driven by environmental changes, has multifaceted impacts on
individuals, communities, and nations. Key consequences include:
1. Humanitarian Challenges
 Displacement: Climate-induced disasters have forcibly displaced millions. In the past
decade, over 220 million people were displaced due to extreme weather events.
 Health Risks: Migrants often face inadequate shelter, limited access to clean water,
and poor sanitation, increasing susceptibility to diseases. For instance, indigenous
Wayuu migrants in northern Colombia confront heightened health risks due to
worsening droughts and floods.
2. Socioeconomic Impacts
 Urban Overcrowding: Influxes of climate migrants into urban areas can strain
infrastructure, leading to inadequate housing and overwhelmed services.
 Economic Strain: Host communities may experience increased competition for jobs
and resources, potentially leading to economic challenges.
3. Environmental Consequences
 Resource Degradation: Concentrated populations can lead to overexploitation of
local resources, resulting in environmental degradation.
4. Political and Security Issues
 Social Tensions: Competition over limited resources can heighten tensions between
migrants and host communities, potentially leading to conflicts.
 Governance Challenges: Governments may struggle to address the needs of
displaced populations, leading to policy and security challenges.
Addressing these impacts requires comprehensive strategies, including robust infrastructure
development, inclusive economic policies, and proactive environmental management, to
support both displaced populations and host communities.
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STATELESSNESS
Statelessness is the condition of not being recognized as a citizen by any country under its
laws. This means a stateless person lacks a legal nationality, which can lead to difficulties in
accessing basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment, and legal protection.
The international legal definition of a stateless person is “a person who is not considered as a
national by any State under the operation of its law”. In simple terms, this means that a
stateless person does not have the nationality of any country. Some people are born stateless,
but others become stateless.
Stateless people are found in all regions of the world. The majority of stateless people were
born in the countries in which they have lived their entire lives.
Statelessness often has a severe and lifelong impact on those it affects. The millions of people
around the world who are denied a nationality often fight for the same basic human rights that
most of us take for granted. Often, they are excluded from cradle to grave— being denied a
legal identity when they are born, access to education, health care, marriage and job
opportunities during their lifetime and even the dignity of an official burial and a death
certificate when they die. Many pass on statelessness to their children, who then pass it on to
the next generation.
In the context of climate migration, particularly concerning nations like Kiribati and
Bangladesh, the risk of statelessness is a pressing concern.

How Statelessness Connects to Climate Migration

1. Displacement of Populations from Sinking Territories
o Small island nations like Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Maldives face the threat
of becoming uninhabitable due to rising sea levels. If these countries lose all
habitable land, their citizens could become stateless if no other country grants
them nationality.
o Some governments are negotiating "climate visas" or agreements for
relocation, but international laws on statelessness do not yet fully address
climate-driven cases.
2. Loss of Legal Identity
o Climate migrants often face difficulties in proving their nationality if records
are destroyed by disasters (e.g., floods, hurricanes).
o Statelessness can arise if legal systems do not recognize displaced persons,
making it harder for them to secure residency or citizenship in host countries.

3. Challenges in Seeking Asylum or Citizenship

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o Many countries lack specific legal frameworks to grant citizenship to climate

migrants.
o Without nationality, displaced individuals cannot access work, healthcare, or
political rights, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and poverty.

THE IMPACT OF RISING-SEA LEVELS IN LOW-LYING NATIONS

Rising sea levels pose significant threats to low-lying nations, particularly Small Island
Developing States (SIDS), leading to a range of environmental, economic, and social
challenges.
1. Environmental Impacts
 Coastal Erosion and Land Loss: As sea levels rise, coastal areas experience
increased erosion, resulting in the loss of land. For instance, Tuvalu, with an average
elevation of just two meters above sea level, faces significant land loss due to erosion.
 Saltwater Intrusion: The encroachment of seawater into freshwater systems
contaminates drinking water and agricultural lands. In Kiribati, rising sea levels have
led to saltwater intrusion, adversely affecting freshwater resources and agriculture.

2. Economic Challenges
 Damage to Infrastructure: Increased flooding and storm surges damage critical
infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals, leading to substantial repair costs.
 Impact on Fisheries and Agriculture: Changes in marine ecosystems and the
salinization of arable land threaten food security and livelihoods dependent on fishing
and farming.

3. Social and Cultural Consequences

 Displacement of Communities: Severe environmental degradation may force
communities to relocate, leading to the loss of homes and ancestral lands.
 Threat to Cultural Heritage: The potential submergence of entire islands endangers
unique cultures and traditions.

Case Studies
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 Tuvalu: This Pacific island nation is implementing the 'Te Lafiga o Tuvalu' Long-
Term Adaptation Plan, aiming to create raised, safe land areas and gradually relocate
communities to mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise.
 Kiribati: Facing similar threats, Kiribati is seeking substantial financial aid from
wealthier nations to raise its islands as a defensive measure against rising sea levels.
International Response
Low-lying nations are actively engaging in international forums to seek support and
advocate for global climate action. The United Nations General Assembly has
conducted high-level meetings to address the critical issues faced by these countries,
aiming to build political consensus on measures to combat the extensive social,
economic, and legal impacts of rising seas.
Addressing the multifaceted impacts of rising sea levels on low-lying nations requires
a combination of local adaptation strategies, international cooperation, and
comprehensive climate action to ensure the survival and well-being of affected
communities.

LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES FOR CLIMATE REFUGEES

1. Lack of Legal Recognition

No formal status: Under current international law (specifically the 1951 Refugee
Convention), climate refugees are not recognized as refugees, since the definition is limited
to persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or
political opinion. Consequences: This leaves climate refugees without protection,
resettlement pathways, or legal rights that traditional refugees have.
2. Jurisdictional Challenges
Cross-border migration: Many climate refugees cross borders, but without clear international
agreements, countries are not legally obliged to accept them. Statelessness: In cases where
entire territories may become uninhabitable (e.g., small island nations), people risk becoming
stateless.
3. Right to Life and Safety
Climate displacement threatens access to clean water, food, housing, and healthcare — core
human rights under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

4. Non-refoulement Violations
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Although not recognized as refugees, climate migrants risk being returned to unsafe,
uninhabitable environments, which could violate the principle of non-refoulement (not
returning someone to a place where they face serious threats to their life or freedom).
5. Displacement within States (Internally Displaced Persons - IDPs)
Domestic law often does not provide adequate protection or resources for climate-induced
IDPs, leaving millions vulnerable.
6. Equity and Justice
Most climate refugees are from low-income countries contributing the least to climate
change, raising serious issues of climate justice and moral responsibility for high-emitting
nations.
7. Access to Asylum and Due Process
Without clear guidelines, climate refugees often lack access to asylum procedures or appeals,
leaving them vulnerable to arbitrary detention or deportation.
8. Need for International Cooperation
There is a legal vacuum at the international level. Existing frameworks like the UNFCCC’s
“Warsaw Mechanism for Loss and Damage” and the Global Compact for Migration are not
legally binding and remain inadequate.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES AND TREATIES ON CLIMATE-INDUCED

MIGRATION
Climate-induced migration
- is an increasingly urgent global issue, driven by the impacts of climate change, including
rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation. International
responses and treaties- are legal agreements between countries addressing various global
issues, including human rights, climate change, and security, with the aim of fostering
cooperation and establishing binding rules. TYPES: Bilateral: Agreements between two states
multilateral: Agreements between three or more states International Agreements and
Frameworks
1. The Paris Agreement (2015)
The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty aimed at combating climate change
and its impacts. Adopted by 196 parties, it seeks to limit global warming to well below 2
degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement acknowledges the need to address
loss and damage associated with climate change, which includes displacement. It encourages
countries to develop adaptation strategies that consider the needs of vulnerable populations,
including those at risk of displacement. significance: By recognizing the link between climate
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change and migration, the Paris Agreement sets a foundation for integrating migration
considerations into national climate policies.
2. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (2018)
This non-binding framework was adopted by UN member states to address the challenges of
international migration comprehensively. The compact emphasizes the protection of the rights
of all migrants, including those displaced by environmental factors and climate change. It
promotes safe migration pathways and the integration of climate considerations into
migration policies. Significance: The Global Compact serves as a guiding framework for
countries to develop policies that protect climate migrants and ensure their rights are upheld.
3. The Kampala Convention (2009)
The Kampala Convention is a binding regional treaty in Africa that specifically addresses the
protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs). It recognizes that displacement can occur
due to natural disasters and climate change, obligating member states to protect and assist
those affected. Significance: The convention sets a precedent for legal recognition of climate-
induced displacement and establishes clear obligations for states to protect the rights of
affected populations.
4. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015)
The Sendai Framework is a global blueprint for disaster risk reduction, adopted by UN
member states to enhance resilience and reduce disaster risks. It encourages the integration of
migration considerations into disaster risk management strategies, recognizing that climate
change exacerbates disaster risks and can lead to displacement. Significance: By promoting a
holistic approach to disaster risk reduction, the Sendai Framework aims to enhance the
resilience of communities vulnerable to climate-induced displacement.
5. The New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants (2016)
This declaration was adopted during the UN General Assembly to address the global refugee
and migration crisis, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive response. It acknowledges
the challenges faced by refugees and migrants, including those displaced by climate change,
and calls for international cooperation and shared responsibility. Significance: The New York
Declaration lays the groundwork for the Global Compact on Refugees, which aims to
improve the lives of refugees and host communities, including those affected by climate-
related displacement.
6. The Global Compact on Refugees (2018)
Building on the New York Declaration, this compact provides a framework for more
predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing for refugees. While primarily focused on
refugees, it recognizes that climate change can exacerbate the conditions leading to forced
displacement and calls for comprehensive responses to address these challenges.
Significance: The compact encourages countries to consider the impacts of climate change on
displacement and to develop policies that support both refugees and host communities.
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7. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the 2030 Agenda outlines a global
framework for sustainable development, including the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs). Several SDGs, particularly Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 10 (Reduced
Inequalities), emphasize the need to address the impacts of climate change on vulnerable
populations, including migrants. Significance: The 2030 Agenda promotes a holistic approach
to development that includes addressing the root causes of climate-induced migration and
ensuring that displaced populations are included in sustainable development efforts.

REFERENCES

https://blogs.fasos.maastrichtuniversity.nl/EUS2516/climatechange/2021/11/16/316/

https://climatefactchecks.org/climate-exodus-how-drought-drives-internal-migration-in-a-
warming-world/
https://www.preventionweb.net/news/safeguard-lakshadweep-islands-future-sea-level-rise-
study
https://sciencesauceonline.com/ibess/case-studies/climate-change-impacts-kiribati/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/20/rising-sea-levels-alexandria-egypt-
nile-delta-sinking-climate-el-max-fishing

https://www.unhcr.org/ibelong/about-statelessness/

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/12/philippines-village-rising-sea-levels-climate-
change/
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