Unlike war, environmental impacts are not accepted as a reason to seek asylum under international law. But this could change as Australia’s climate visa for citizens of small-island state Tuvalu legalises the status of the climate migrant.
Climate change is expected to displace tens of millions of people by mid-century, especially in the Global South. By enhancing international cooperation, we could improve the lives and livelihoods of the displaced and develop sustainable solutions that enable affected communities to rebuild.
With many countries planning fossil fuel production increases and continuing subsidies, negotiators have their work cut out for them when the COP28 climate summit begins.