Migration Of Masses Induced By The Impact Of Climate Changes
- IJLLR Journal
- Dec 26, 2025
- 2 min read
L. Saranya, Faculty of Law, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamilnadu
Prof & Dr A. Aswini, Faculty of Law, Dr. Ambedkar Global Law Institute, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Prof & Dr P. B. Pankaja, Faculty of Law, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamilnadu
ABSTRACT
“Environment Refugees – The World Forgotten Victims”, as highlighted by the World Economic Forum in its report on 18th June 2021, mentioned that climate change remains a serious concern in the international arena. Climate changes are significant driver of human displacement, giving rise to the growing phenomenon of climate refugees. The Institute of Economic and Peace predicts that, within the next three decades, about 1.2 billion people will get displaced due to the adverse effect of climate change. Climate refugees are the people who are forced to leave their homes due to rising of sea level, extreme weather events, desertification and environmental degradation. Despite being forced to flee due to climate-related disasters, climate refugee lack formal recognition and legal protection under international law. As per the Refugee Convention 1951, a refugee is the person, who owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country. However, climate induced displacement does not fit in this definition, leaving climate refugees without access to the rights and protection granted to traditional refugees. Right to survival is the first basic human right. If there is a threat for the basic human right due to the adverse environmental factors to which they are no parties, they try to cross their borders to save themselves. In the present work, the authors focus on the causes and consequences of climate-induced displacement, explore case studies of vulnerable regions and analyze the gaps in existing legal and policy framework. The paper addresses the crisis faced by climate refugees which requires urgent action to mitigate climate change and ensure justice for those who are forced to migrate due to environmental factors. It also discusses viable solutions, including adaptation strategies, international cooperation and legal reforms to address the rights and needs of displaced population.
