Climate-induced Displacement: Protection under the Current International Legal Frameworks

摘要

Climate-induced displacement is one of the major challenges of the 21st century for the international community. The complex situations of climate-induced displacement raise questions about how well current international legal frameworks truly protect people who are displaced by the adverse impacts of climate change. The Paris Agreement is the latest international treaty adopted under the climate change regime. It has recognised the linkage between climate change and displacement. However, the Paris Agreement is not sufficient to address climate-induced displacement and other existing international legal frameworks do not fill the gaps. To protect the climate-displaced people, it is necessary to take some robust steps. Such vigorous measures could be done by adding a Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or by amending the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 1951. The international community should build consensus for possible solutions to address climate-induced displacement.