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This study seeks to address the problem of climate change displacement. It proposes a draft Convention for Persons Displaced by Climate Change (the Convention) which would establish an international regime for the status and treatment of such persons. The status of persons displaced by climate change is unclear. Although often referred to as ‘environmental refugees’ or, more specifically, ‘climate change refugees,’ such persons are not afforded protected under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (or any other international instrument), and there is no consensus for amending the Convention to provide for them. There has been no coordinated response by governments to address human displacement, whether domestic or international, temporary or permanent, due to climate change. Given the nature and magnitude of the problem which climate change displacement presents, ad hoc measures based on existing domestic regimes are likely to lead to inconsistency, confusion and conflict. The international community has an obvious interest in resolving human displacement in an orderly and coordinated fashion. After examining the scale of likely human displacement due to climate change and the necessity of establishing a convention for climate change displaced persons (CCDPs), the study outlines a draft Convention framework, proposes the creation of an international organisation under the Convention with responsibility for climate-induced displacement, and suggests specific matters which the Convention would address. It also raises key issues and problems in any international effort to provide for CCDPs. Calls for action are common across the debate on the human impact of climate change. However, few concrete and no detailed and substantive proposals have been made in relation to persons displaced by climate change. This study seeks to focus debate by proposing mechanisms through which an international approach to persons displaced by climate change might be coordinated. It also articulates underlying issues that may currently be impeding proposals for action in order to stimulate further discussion towards their resolution.

IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
2009, Volume 6, Issue 56
DOI: 10.1088/1755-1307/6/56/562014 

IOP Science