Protecting the Rights of Climate Displaced People – A Position Paper

Climate displacement is a growing issued faced by millions of people and its impacts can be felt at the international, regional, national and sub-national level. Despite this, climate displacement has, to date, been dealt with in an ad hoc manner in international and domestic fora.

‘Protecting the Rights of Climate Displaced People,’ the position paper published by the Foundation states it is critical that comprehensive, coordinated and targeted solutions are found to address climate displacement as the impacts of climate change will be more keenly felt in the decades to come.

The impacts of climate change can lead to displacement that does not fit within current international law or norms. At present, the rights of climate displaced people are not always protected. The Foundation seeks to ensure the protection of climate displaced people is assured starting with a prioritisation of this issue by international bodies.

The Foundation makes three recommendations in the position paper:

  • Increase the understanding of the issue
  • Amplify the voices of climate displaced people, to create an understanding at the international level of the need to protect their rights
  • Develop a Climate Justice Framework for Action.

Download the position paper here