Legal Protection For Environmental Migrants Current Challenges And Ways Forward

This book describes the worrying scenario that reflects the urgency and importance of dealing with the situation of environmental migrants, especially considering that the environmental migration crisis is already greater than the migratory crisis due to war refugees. The first major problem in this environmental context is that there is no specific rule in international law to address this issue. In the face of this problem, far from exhausting all possible solutions on the theme, this book intended to plant a seed of reflection, based on an analysis of the current legal and political context, and outlining the possible paths to follow. New living conditions demand a paradigm shift in the human lifestyle, changing thoughts and attitudes at the individual and group level as reflected in national and international policies. It begins with the notion of conscience and interdependence. It begins, above all, with the notion of empathy and solidarity, understanding that tomorrow it may be one of us that needs this help that we are denying today.

This comprehensive Research Handbook provides an overview of the debates on how the law does, and could, relate to migration exacerbated by climate change. It contains conceptual chapters on the relationship between climate change, migration and the law, as well as doctrinal and prospective discussions regarding legal developments in different domestic contexts and in international governance.

"Climate change and other forms of environmental degradation, such as earthquakes and soil erosion, in combination with other factors (such as poverty, lack of government action and armed conflict) can lead to forced migration. The protection of these environmental refugees requires a different approach than that of 'traditional war refugees'. Most environmental refugees are internally displaced. As a result, developing countries that are hit hardest by the negative effects of climate change, also have to deal with high numbers of internally displaced persons. These countries rely on international support to be able to bear the costs of mitigation- and adaptation measures. The current legal system not only offers insufficient protection for environmental refugees, but also offers insufficient opportunities for support by the international community. Principles and rules of international environmental law, human rights law and State responsibility can be used in an instrumental way to co-finance and support local measures. This thesis argues for the combination of a human rights-based, security and State responsibility approach to create medium and long-term protection regimes for environmental refugees that makes use of the possibilities to prevent migration or, if inevitably, manage migration"--Back cover.

This book studies the topic of forced climate migrants (commonly referred to as “climate refugees”) through the lens of international law and identifies the reasons why these migrants should be granted international protection. Through an analysis focused on climate change and human rights international law, it points out the legal principles and rules upon which an international obligation to protect persons forced to migrate due to climate change is emerging. Sciaccaluga advocates for a state obligation to protect climate migrants when their origin countries have become extremely environmentally fragile due to climate change—to the point of becoming unable to guarantee the exercise of inalienable human rights in their territories. Turning to the future, this book then investigates the current elements on which a “forced climate migrants law” could be built, ultimately arguing for the duty to provide some form of assistance to forced climate migrants in a third state within the international legal system.

Gradual and sudden environmental changes are resulting in substantial human movement and displacement, and the scale of such flows, both internal and cross-border, is expected to rise with unprecedented impacts on lives and livelihoods. Despite the potential challenge, there has been a lack of strategic thinking about this policy area partly due to a lack of data and empirical research on this topic. Adequately planning for and managing environmentallyinduced migration will be critical for human security. The papers in this volume were first presented at the Research Workshop on Migration and the Environment: Developing a Global Research Agenda held in Munich, Germany in April 2008. One of the key objectives on the Munich workshop was to address the need for more sound empirical research and identify priority areas of research for policy makers in the field of migration and the environment.

A discussion of cutting-edge developments in policy on climate change and forced displacement from leading academics and practitioners.

The open access publication of this book has been published with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation. Climate change is forcing us to consider the right of people to leave their disappearing homelands, and the shape this right should take. Climate Change, Disasters and People on the Move proposes international protection as a solution with three pillars: granting protection against return to the country of origin (non-refoulement); preventing future displacement; and facilitating safe, orderly, and regular migration in the context of disasters and climate change. Dr. Aylin Yildiz Noorda uses the theories of common concern of humankind and community interests to operationalise her proposal, providing a blueprint for future claims.