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« The protection of environmentally-displaced persons in international law »

The issue of environmental degradation is broad and complex. This Article endeavors to better understand one particular aspect, namely the phenomenon of environmentally-induced migration. Cet article discute des instruments légaux de droit international susceptibles de protéger les déplacés environnementaux. Cet article revient notamment sur la notion controversée de « réfugiés environnementaux. Extrait du document : p 386 : « The 1951 Refugee Convention requires that a refugee be outside his country of origin, and accordingly does not encompass situations of internal displacement.133 In international law, there is a dichotomy between the protection afforded to (...)

Preparing for a Warmer World, Towards a Global Governance System to Protect Climate Refugees

Les réfugiés climatiques représente un mouvement sans précédent de réfugiés. Cet article étudie si les organisations et institutions existantes peuvent protéger ces « nouveaux réfugiés ». Extraits : "Climate change threatens to cause the largest refugee crisis in human history. More tha 200 million people, largely in Africa and Asia, might be forced to leave their homes [...]"

"Climate Change and Migration : Key Issues for Legal Protection of Migrants and Displaced Persons"

This paper provides a brief overview of the human rights and humanitarian norms related to migrant protection, recognizing that a much more com- prehensive, in-depth analysis may be warranted as policymakers engage in further dialogue. Extrait du document p 3 : « As a general rule, people who move voluntarily or who are forced to move across an international border are entitled to all of their fundamental human rights guarantees that pro- tect human dignity.7 These include civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights such as the right of freedom of movement ; to choose their place of residence ; to engage in religion or cultural practice ; the right to (...)

"Climate change, natural disasters and displacement : a multi-track approach to filling the protection gaps"

Millions are displaced by climate-related disasters each year, and this trend is set to increase as climate change accelerates. It raises important questions about how well existing instruments actually protect people driven from their homes by climate change and natural disasters. This article first examines current protection instruments and points out gaps in them. There follows an exploration of various proposals for filling those protection gaps, with the focus on cross-border natural-disaster-induced displacement. A multi-track approach is recommended, including context-oriented and dynamic interpretation of existing law, and creation of new law. Adhering to (...)

The human security dilemma : lost opportunities, appropriated concepts, or actual change ?

Human security discourse and practice have been embraced by a number of states as a means to address our current security dilemmas At the same time, human security literature is advances as an alternative vision of world politics that moves past the state centric analysis of traditional security studies.

"Climate governance beyond 2012 : competing discourses of green governementality, ecological modernization and civil environmentalism."

It is today commonly argued that international climate politics is moving into a new era. With the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol in February 2005, many years of multilateral negotiations resulted in a legally binding agreement with quantitative targets that commit industrialized countries to reductions in national greenhouse gas emissions until 2012. However, the route set out by the Kyoto Protocol is far from uncontested and contemporary post-2012 negotiations speak of new ways of making climate policy in the future. In this debate the notion of a stringent multilateral agreement with negotiated emission targets and timetables is increasingly challenged by (...)

"The Role of UNEP and UNDP in Multilateral Environmental Agreements."

This study examines the role of the UN’s programmes for environment and development (UNEP and UNDP) in the genesis and implementation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). This is set in the wider context of the changing dominant focus of the international agenda, from ‘environment’ at the Stockholm Conference in 1972, to ‘environment and development’ at Rio in 1992, and ‚sustainable development’ in Johannesburg in 2002.

"Developing Countries and Global Environmental."

Developing countries did not start off as demandeurs of global environmental governance. Although they are still rather skeptical about the global environmental enterprise, they have come a long way from being the vigorous contestants that they were three decades ago. This fascinating evolution has not only changed the views of developing countries but has also transformed the shape of the global environmental discourse, most significantly by turning what used to be global environmental politics into what is now the global politics of sustainable (...)

"Beyond the public and private divide : remapping transnational climate governance in the 21st century."

This article provides a first step towards a better theoretical and empirical knowledge of the emerging arena of transnational climate governance. The need for such a re-conceptualization emerges from the increasing relevance of non-state and transnational approaches towards climate change mitigation at a time when the intergovernmental negotiation process has to overcome substantial stalemate and the international arena becomes increasingly fragmented. Based on a brief discussion of the increasing trend towards transnationalization and functional segmentation of the global climate governance arena, we argue that a remapping of climate governance is necessary and (...)

"Environmental Refugees ? Classifying human migration causes by environmental change. "

What distinguishes environmental refugees from other refugees-or other migrants ? Are all environmental refugees alike ? This essay develops a classification to begin to answer these questions and facilitate future policies and research on environmental refugees.

"Environmental Degradation and Migration"

The concept of environmental refugees was introduced by Lester Brown of the Worldwatch Institute in the 1970s. It entered into common usage after a 1985 United Nations Environment Programme policy paper entitled ‘Environmental Refugees’. The International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM) describes forced migration as “a general term that refers to the movements of refugees and internally displaced people (those displaced by conflicts) as well as people displaced by natural or environmental disasters, chemical or nuclear disasters, famine, or development projects” (FMO, 2007). We define (...)

"Environmental degradation and population displacement"

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in the 1993 State of the World’s Refugees, identified four root causes of refugee flows. These were political instability, economic tensions, ethnic conflict, and environmental degradation. The claim that environmental degradation was a root cause of refugee flows was inspired by a number of articles suggesting a link between environmental degradation and population movement, and a recognition that the numbers of displaced persons internationally were much larger than indicated by the statistics on refugee (...)

"Environmental Refugees : Myth or Reality ?"

As the UN Refugee Convention passes its 50th anniversary, the nature and scope of the ‘international refugee regime’ continues to be a matter of debate. The last decade has seen a number of arguments to extend the regime, and/or the Convention. Most recent amongst these is the growing consensus that ‘internally-displaced persons’(IDPs) should be brought under some form of international protection and/or assistance (Holbrooke, 2000). Another strong group of candidates for inclusion has been those displaced by development projects (Cernea and McDowell, (...)

"Environmental Causes and Impact of Refugee Movements : A Critique of the Current Debate. "

The relationships between insecurity, environmental change and population displacement are discussed in this paper. It argues that environmental change and concomitant population displacement are the consequences of war and insecurity rather than triggers for it — as postulated in so much of the recent literature. Additionally, the paper critically reviews the state of knowledge concerning the impact of refugees on the environment of host countries. The aim here is not to document the negative or positive impacts as such, but rather to de-mythologise some aspects of the state of knowledge which through repetition have become accepted as ‘scientific (...)

"Environmental Refugees : the construction of a crisis"

The concept of environmental refugee has been on the table for nearly 25 years. Yet, it remains poorly defined and without any legally binding mechanisms of protection or support. Recently, the issue of climate change migration has become more prevalent, introducing more challenges and dilemmas for understanding and coping with migration induced by environmental change. This paper examines the debates surrounding the definitions and legal categories associated with environment/migration nexus and their legal and epistemological implications, and then looks at potential alternatives and ways forward. Finally, I argue that environmentally induced migration deserves (...)

The role of environmental degradation in population displacement.

The unhcr in the 1993 state of the world’s refugees, identified four root causes of refugee flows. These Were : political instability ; economic tensions ; ethnic conflict ; and environmental degradation. The claim That environmental degradation was a root cause of refugee flows was a direct response to a growing Number of articles positing a link between environmental degradation and population movement, and a recognition That the numbers of displaced persons internationally was much larger than indicated by the statistics on Refugee (...)

"Environmental Refugees : a growing phenomenon of the 21st century."

There is a new phenomenon in the global arena : environmental refugees. These are people who can no longer gain a secure livelihood in their homelands because of drought, soil erosion, desertification, deforestation and other environmental problems, together with the associated problems of population pressures and profound poverty. In their desperation […]

"An anatomy of adaptation to climate change and variability."

Adaptation to climate variability and change is important both for impact assessment […]

"Exodes écologiques et réfugiés environnementaux. Quel problème ? Quelles approches ? "

La recherche d’ ‘un’ statut pour ‘les’ réfugiés environnementaux rend bien visible le principal problème de cet enjeu public mondial. Peut on ou doit on établir un statut unique pour ceux qui se déplacent en raison de crises environnementales ? Mais pour pouvoir répondre à cette question il faut d’abord en poser une autre. Qui sont ils les réfugiés environnementaux ?

"Environmental Refugees - A Misnomer or A Reality ?"

In the 1993 ’State of the World’s Refugees’, UNHCR identified four root causes of refugee flows - political instability ; economic tensions ; ethnic conflict ; and environmental degradation (Lonergan, 1998). More recently, Matlou (1999) suggested the following, in an Africa-specific context - the effects of past struggles for decolonisation, majority rule [...]

Environmental Refugees. The Case for Recognition.

Hysteria walks in the footsteps of refugees and immigrants. In Britain barely a day passes without scare stories of crime, fraud and intolerable burdens placed on public services. They are depicted as people out for themselves […]

"Confronting a Rising Tide : A Proposal for a Convention on Climate Change Refugees"

Climate change will force millions of people to flee their homes over the coming century. Rising sea levels threaten to envelop small island states. Desertification will make swaths of currently occupied land uninhabitable. More intense storms will drive people [...]

"Towards a Convention for Persons Displaced by Climate Change : Key Issues and Preliminary Responses"

NEW CRITIC, Sept. 2008. Appel la négociation d’une “Convention for Persons Displaced by Climate Change”.

"Turning the Tide : Recognizing Climate Change Refugees in International Law"

Many of the debates surrounding the environmental, social, and economic implications of climate change are now well known. However, there is increasing concern over the extent to which those suffering displacement or forced migration as a result of climate change are protected. This article seeks to highlight the plight of such individuals and suggests how the current protection gap might be remedied. Present legal structures, such as the Refugee Convention and the framework for Internally Displaced Persons (...)

"Extending refugee definition to cover environmentally displaced persons displaces necessary protection"

The growing effects of climate change and global warming create a need for protection of environmentally displaced persons. While governments could use current international and domestic definitions of refugee to protect environmentally displaced persons, it is unlikely that any government will do so. Even if governments did extend existing refugee and asylum laws to include environmentally displaced persons [...]

"Migration, the Environment and Climate Change : Assessing the Evidence"Legal Protection of Migrants and Displaced Persons"

Four main research challenges are posed by the intersection of climate change, broader environmental hazards and migration : How has the relationship between migration and the environment been conceptualized ? To what extent has it been possible to measure the scale of environmental migration ? What evidence is available regarding the impact of environmental migration ? What research has been conducted on policy responses ? Several factors make it difficult to predict the likely scale of environmental migration or its impacts. First, it is difficult to disaggregate the role of climate change from other economic, political and social factors driving migration. Second, (...)

"Climate Change and Internal Migration"

Policymakers in potential destination countries for international migrants have been slow to identify possible responses to manage environmentally induced migration that take these complex interconnections into account. Humanitarian admissions are generally limited to refugees and asylum seekers. Most environmental migrants, forced to flee because of loss of livelihood or habitat and not because of persecutory policies, will be unlikely to meet the legal definition of a refugee. In the absence of legal opportunities to immigrate, at least some portion of those who lose livelihoods as a result of climate change and other environmental hazards will likely become (...)

"Pour une définition juridique des réfugiés écologiques : réflexion autour de la qualification juridique de l’atteinte à l’environnement"

La question du statut des réfugiés écologiques se pose tant pour assurer leur survie que pour éviter les conflits futurs. Avant d’envisager leur protection, il s’agit de définir juridiquement les réfugiés écologiques. C’est l’objet de notre étude. Quelle atteinte à l’environnement permet de qualifier juridiquement les réfugiés écologiques ? Nous traiterons d’une atteinte collective et grave à l’environnement : la catastrophe écologique ; et des arguments en faveur d’une nouvelle qualification juridique de l’atteinte à l’environnement : la rupture de l’ordre public écologique. Extrait : « La Convention de l’Organisation de l’Unité Africaine (OUA) régissant les aspects propres aux problèmes (...)

"Questions humanitaires et sécuritaires et le cas particulier des réfugiés climatiques"

« La Conférence de Copenhague s’est achevée par un accord politique de trois pages dénommé « Accord de Copenhague », visant à limiter l’élévation de la température, la réduction des émissions mondiales de gaz à effet de serre et mettant en place des fonds pour les pays en développement. Si le texte final a déçu du fait qu’il ne soit pas juridiquement contraignant et qu’il n’impose pas aux Etats de mettre en place un traité pour prendre le relais du protocole de Kyoto, même imparfait, il constitue un début essentiel. En effet, l’Accord de Copenhague reconnaît le point de vue scientifique demandant à contenir l’augmentation de la température mondiale en dessous de 2 degrés, condition nécessaire (...)

"Lumière sur les « réfugiés climatiques »"

Cet article appréhende la question des réfugiés climatiques sous l’angle du droit international. Extrait : « Or il n’existe pas en droit international positif de régime juridique général applicable aux personnes déplacées. Pourtant cette question est aujourd’hui l’une des plus importantes que la Communauté internationale ait à résoudre. Face à ces carences juridiques, aujourd’hui, les réfugiés climatiques n’obtiennent souvent qu’une protection subsidiaire et temporaire. La Suède est le seul pays à avoir pris l’initiative d’étendre la Convention de Genève dans sa législation nationale, en accordant un véritable droit d’asile aux victimes de catastrophe naturelle. Au regard du droit (...)

"L’évocation des défis mondiaux de protection du HCR devant le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU "

Le Haut Commissaire des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés, António Guterres a présenté le 8 janvier, (CS/9566) au Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies les défis auxquels est confrontée son agence chargée de s’occuper de dizaines de millions de personnes déracinées dans un environnement international de plus en plus complexe. M. António Guterres est le premier Haut Commissaire des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés à s’adresser dans le cadre d’une telle réunion au Conseil de sécurité. Extrait : « M. Guterres a ensuite attiré l’attention sur les nouvelles formes de déplacement de personnes provoquées par des phénomènes tels que les changements climatiques, la pauvreté extrême et la mauvaise (...)

"Les débats menés lors de Soixante-troisième session de l’Assemblée générale par les petits Etats insulaires sur le problème du changement climatique"

La Soixante-troisième session de l’Assemblée générale a été dominée par de vifs débats menés par les petits États insulaires à propos des changements climatiques. Ces pays, premières victimes du changement climatique qui ont mobilisé l’actualité internationale au cours des derniers mois, ont fait entendre leur voix devant l’Assemblée. Les interventions de ces nombreux pays (AG/ 10754, AG/10756) que nous allons analyser, semblent pouvoir se regrouper autour de deux réflexions essentielles. D’une part, il s’agit de la nécessaire reconnaissance de la vulnérabilité écologique des ces États et, d’autre part de la mise en relief des responsabilités face aux changements climatiques. Extrait : (...)

"Commission du droit international : réflexions autour d’un « droit à l’assistance humanitaire en cas de catastrophe »"

Plusieurs instruments non contraignants donnent à penser qu’il existe un « droit à l’assistance humanitaire » mais ils ne permettent pas de conclure à l’heure actuelle sur ce point selon la Commission du droit international. Il convient d’analyser ce « droit à » dont l’étude demeure floue en droit positif. En effet, l’existence d’un droit coutumier à l’assistance humanitaire fait débat au sein de la doctrine. Extrait : « Il a été admis que « le droit à l’assistance humanitaire en cas de catastrophe » figurait implicitement dans le droit international humanitaire et le droit relatif aux droits de l’homme. Son inobservation était tenue pour une violation des droits fondamentaux à la vie et à (...)

"La Conférence de Poznan : débats relancés autour des réfugiés climatiques"

En marge de la 14e conférence de la Convention des Nations Unies sur le changement climatique, qui s’est ouverte le 1er décembre 2008 à Poznan, sommet au cours duquel les délégués de 187 nations devaient élaborer un nouveau traité de lutte contre le changement climatique, s’est construit un débat autour de la question des réfugiés climatiques.

"L’épineuse question de l’aide à la population birmane, victime de « Nargis » : un débat de fond sur l’interprétation à donner à la « responsabilité de protéger »"

Le 2 mai 2008, le cyclone Nargis, un cyclone de catégorie 3, l’un des plus meurtriers de ces dernières années, a ravagé la Birmanie. L’Organisation des Nations Unies (ONU) a offert son aide et a proposé son appui dans la mobilisation d’une action internationale. Après un accord de principe émis le 4 mai autorisant l’aide internationale, la junte militaire au pouvoir émet de nombreuses réticences. Face à ce constat d’échec, des voix s’élèvent au sein de la communauté internationale souhaitant l’octroi d’une aide à la population sinistrée malgré le refus des autorités birmanes, à l’image du ministre français des Affaires étrangères, Bernard Kouchner, qui propose une résolution du Conseil de (...)

"Une aide de la communauté internationale au profit des victimes du cyclone Nargis"

Le 2 mai, le cyclone Nargis a ravagé la Birmanie faisant plus de 10 000 morts et causant d’innombrables dégâts matériels . L’Organisation des Nations Unies (ONU) a offert son aide et a proposé son appui dans la mobilisation d’une action internationale. Extrait : « Selon les experts du Groupe d’experts Intergouvernemental sur l’évolution du climat (GIEC), le changement climatique issu des activités humaines, activités humaines principalement concentrées dans les pays industrialisés, a un impact sur les cyclones touchant certains territoires plus vulnérables que d’autres à l’image de la Birmanie, Etat côtier. Face à ce constat, la catastrophe dite « naturelle » du cyclone Nargis, (...)