CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: THE ISSUE OF “CLIMATE REFUGEES”

Abstract

There have been many hot comments on the climate Agreement concluded in Paris in December 2015: In most cases, the opinions are favorable, but there are also some criticisms. It is important to maintain human rights at the core of climate action, but the Paris Agreement does not contain the provisions needed to tackle the human rights dimension of climate change and provide support for poorer countries whose capacities are strained by climate change impacts. Developed countries should seriously consider the issue of “climate refugees” and the scope thereof. In the last few years, several million people were forced to leave their homes because of floods, windstorms, earthquakes or other disasters caused by global warming. Nevertheless, the status of “climate refugee” is not yet recognized and leaves a legal loophole affecting victims that cannot benefit from such status