Climate Refugees: a Cause for a New Agreement

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jel.202614122

Author(s)

Zhang Tianhui

Affiliation(s)

Tongling University, Anhui, China

Abstract

This article focuses on the legal gap in the protection of climate refugees, pointing out that the population displacement caused by climate change has become a global problem. The existing international legal system has issues of marginalization and insufficient targeting in protecting climate refugees. It neither clearly defines their definition and identity, nor has formed precise protection mechanisms for related human rights laws and climate change frameworks. The article first defines the concept of climate refugees, clarifying their differences from environmental displaced persons and climate migrants. Then, it analyzes the deficiencies of the existing protection system. Finally, it proposes the establishment of a new legal system specifically for climate refugees, clearly defining the basic assistance responsibilities of the home country, the fair treatment and non-rejection obligations of the host country, and also suggesting the establishment of a specialized administrative committee, the establishment of a global fund mechanism, and relying on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities to promote the leading role of developed countries.

Keywords

Climate Change; Climate Refugee; Fair Treatment

References

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