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This is an initiative of two Greek civil society organisations, the Greek Council for Refugees and WWF Greece, whose fields of expertise complement the big picture of the climate migration nexus and are key to proactively addressing the need for assistance to climate refugees.
As global overheating will very likely exceed the climate ‘defence line’ of 1.5oC within 2024, thus significantly increasing the risk of more frequent extreme weather events, the impacts on human communities are reasonably expected to skyrocket. A significant part of the published research on the impact of climate change on human displacement focuses on projections and estimations of the size of cross-border migration. This report argues that the discourse needs to be about human rights and how to defend them, in view of an unfolding climate crisis which beyond the 2oC threshold will most likely bring humanity in a state of a long emergency, beyond adaptation capacity. Since the narrative is about the rights of persons in distress, the invisible victims of the climate crisis, it is important that the debate about climate migration is not used for purposes other than the protection per se of each displaced person. Climate change being in its very essence a human rights crisis, it is important that all mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage policies and strategies be founded on a robust human rights basis.
The broader Eastern Mediterranean region is already suffering from extreme climate disasters, while it is geographically placed as the gateway of migration to Europe of persons originating primarily from the continents of Africa and Asia. In the midst of this harsh reality, European states need to proactively set in place proper mechanisms that will ensure the safe and orderly movement of climate refugees. Granting refugee rights to persons forced to displacement from their homelands due to disastrous weather extremes and slow onset climate events is a fundamental first step towards building a protection and assistance system, so as to proactively address the prospect of climate-induced massive migration before it happens.
During our research, it became evident that the possibility of granting protection status to persons suffering the loss of their homelands due to slow or rapid onset climate disasters is often treated with scepticism. A need for exact determination of the causes of displacement is provided as the source of this hesitation in legislating for the protection of persons displaced due to climate change. We consider these concerns baseless, given the mounting scientific documentation of the impacts of climate change on livelihoods and human welfare and the increasing attribution of extreme weather events to climate change.1
Our paper specifically focuses on cross-border migration and does not cover issues related to internal displacement. The analysis, data, and discussions herein are exclusively concerned with the movement of individuals across national borders, rather than within the boundaries of a single country. Any references or implications to migration are to be understood strictly in the context of cross-border phenomena.
Our report on the issue of climate migration focuses on Europe for several compelling reasons, reflecting both geographical realities and the unique position of Europe in addressing this pressing issue. Firstly, Europe's geographical reality places it at the epicenter of migration flows from regions like Africa and Asia, which are already facing severe adverse circumstances due to climate change. These regions are experiencing increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and storms, which lead to food and water shortages, loss of livelihoods, and displacement of communities. As these environmental challenges worsen, it is inevitable that more people will seek refuge in Europe, necessitating a proactive and comprehensive response from European nations.
Secondly, the European Union (EU) is founded on clear and legally robust humanitarian principles that emphasize the protection of individual rights. The EU's commitment to human rights, enshrined in treaties and reinforced by its legal framework, provides a strong foundation for addressing the needs of climate refugees. This legal and moral obligation means that Europe not only can but, in our opinion, should take the lead in offering protection and assistance to those displaced by climate change.
Moreover, Europe has a history of providing asylum and support to persons fleeing persecution and conflict. Extending this tradition to include climate refugees aligns with Europe's values and responsibilities as a global leader in human rights. By prioritizing the protection of climate refugees, Europe can set a precedent for other regions and contribute to the development of international frameworks that ensure the rights and dignity of all displaced persons are upheld.
In summary, our focus on Europe in this report is due to its geographical proximity to regions severely impacted by climate change, its legal and humanitarian commitments, and its potential to lead by example in the protection of climate refugees. Europe's actions in addressing this issue will be crucial in shaping global responses and ensuring that those most affected by climate change receive the support and protection they desperately need.
In this report, GCR and WWF Greece argue that Europe needs to address climate-induced migration in a coherent manner and to allow its climate policies and human rights acquis to mature, by addressing the deficit in legal protection for persons displaced due to climate change and championing the development of an international protection framework. This report aims to encourage a dialogue within environmental and humanitarian CSOs, in order for civil society to see the same ‘big picture’ and advocate for the most together advocate for a robust human rights-based system of protection for climate refugees. At this stage, our contribution to the opening dialogue is comprised of a proposed definition of the term “climate refugee” and a package of proposed legislative initiatives granting temporary protection for climate refugees and the right to apply for asylum.