Environmental displaced: uncertainties and legal responses to a possible humanitarian conflict

Abstract

Environmental changes, including both natural environmental disasters and the effects of anthropic climate change, are a reality that is likely to worsen in the coming decades if measures are not taken. Among its effects are the forced displacement of people to new habitats, which can cause conflict in host States. In the case of transboundary environmental displacement, current international law does not yet have a response that is simultaneously and jointly global, effective and coercive, to ensure the rights of the people affected. However, we are witnessing the progressive consolidation of a common global ethic that seems to be beginning to prevail over the lack of political will of some States.