European Institute for Human Rights

Category: Research

  • Climate Change and Migration: New Insights from a Dynamic Model of Out-Migration and Return Migration

    Climate Change and Migration: New Insights from a Dynamic Model of Out-Migration and Return Migration

    In this paper the impacts of climate change on migration and climate refugees experiences are investigated, through the use of an agent-based model (ABM) of land use, social networks, and household dynamics to examine how extreme floods and droughts affect migration in Northeast Thailand.

    The ABM models dynamic and interactive pathways, including both out-migration and return migration.

    Study results indicate minimal effects on out-migration but strong negative effects on return migration, highlighting the central role of social networks in shaping these patterns.

    They also suggest that climate change does not create entirely new migration processes, but instead operates through existing mobility patterns embedded in social networks and life-course trajectories, where out- and return migration are closely interconnected.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1086/709463

    Reference

    Entwisle, B., Verdery, A., & Williams, N. (2020). Climate Change and Migration: New Insights from a Dynamic Model of Out-Migration and Return Migration. AJS; American journal of sociology, 125(6), 1469–1512

  • Climate Change and Displacement: Protecting ‘Climate Refugees’ within a Framework of Justice and Human Rights

    Climate Change and Displacement: Protecting ‘Climate Refugees’ within a Framework of Justice and Human Rights

    In this paper, climate-induced migration is examined as a complex and far-reaching consequence of climate change, with forced displacement affecting millions worldwide.

    The author notices that although the link between climate change and migration was recognized as early as the first IPCC report in 1990, displacement was only formally included in climate policy frameworks decades later.

    A discussion is then presented on the scale and complexity of climate-related displacement, while paying particular attention to small island states and the climate–conflict–displacement nexus.
    It reviews the international legal framework for political refugees and highlights the legal gaps that leave climate migrants without adequate protection, alongside recent developments, such as the Global Compact on Migration and the Task Force on Climate Displacement.

    The author argues that while existing human rights law offers some protection, it is insufficient to meet the needs of climate migrants. Urgent international action is called for, to establish a dedicated legal regime, emphasizing that major greenhouse gas emitters have a responsibility to support displaced populations, especially those from small island states facing the loss of their homelands.

    Learn more about this paper here: https://doi.org/10.4337/jhre.2020.01.04

    Reference

    Atapattu, S. (2020). Climate change and displacement: protecting ‘climate refugees’ within a framework of justice and human rights. Journal of Human Rights and the Environment, 11(1), 86-113

  • Climate Change Impact on Migration, Travel, Travel Destinations and the Tourism Industry

    Climate Change Impact on Migration, Travel, Travel Destinations and the Tourism Industry

    The impact of climate change on migration and travel with implications for public health practice are discussed in this literature review.

    How climate change influences migration and travel is examined, and the implications of these processes for public health. Climate change is increasing temperatures, intensifying extreme weather events, and contributing to sea-level rise, which can reduce land productivity, food and water security, and ultimately lead to population displacement. These environmental changes interact with social, economic, and demographic factors to shape migration patterns.

    It shows that migrants may face increased risks of communicable and non-communicable diseases due to conditions in their countries of origin, during migration, and in destination settings.

    At the same time, growing travel and tourism, combined with climate-driven changes in disease ecology, are expanding the geographic range of vector-borne diseases, including into temperate and high-income regions.

    The authors conclude that health systems must be prepared for the public health impacts of climate-related migration and travel. Integrated surveillance, early case detection, and coordinated public health interventions are essential to protect population health and prevent communicable disease outbreaks.

    Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taz026

    Reference

    Semenza, J. C., & Ebi, K. L. (2019). Climate change impact on migration, travel, travel destinations and the tourism industry. Journal of travel medicine, 26(5), taz026

  • Human Rights and Climate Displacement and Migration

    Human Rights and Climate Displacement and Migration

    Initiatives that offer opportunities to develop more effective, practical, and politically viable strategies for addressing climate-related migration are discussed in this article.

    It is emphasized how human rights law already provides robust protection for migrants moving under a wide range of circumstances, but climate change is expected to continue increasing both forced displacement and voluntary migration, within countries and across borders.

    Migration to urban areas or abroad can reduce pressure on households by easing resource constraints and generating remittances for those who remain behind.

    The author argues how the scale of future displacement will largely depend on government action to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen community resilience, mitigate climate risks, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

    Learn more about this article here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315312576-8/human-rights-climate-displacement-migration-alice-thomas?context=ubx&refId=fd54b6b6-464b-4968-b43b-38b71c31bcb6

    Reference

    Thomas, Alice (2018), “Human rights and climate displacement and migration”,
    Routledge Handbook of Human Rights and Climate Governance, 2018 (1), Routledge

  • Climate Justice, Migration and Human Rights

    Climate Justice, Migration and Human Rights

    This article explains how a human rights – based, multi-stakeholder approach – incorporating corporate social responsibility – has emerged within the framework of climate justice.

    Climate justice is presented as a model that envisions international human rights standards implemented in accountable, transparent, and participatory ways. It notes the growing visibility and influence of global climate summits, court decisions, civil society organizations, and action networks in advancing this agenda.

    Beyond holding governments and corporations accountable, it explains how climate justice also provides a way to understand migration and human rights, and is also a way to conceptualise path dependencies assessing what climate change-affected migrants and other communities undergo in terms of human rights.

    Learn more about this article here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315622217-4/climate-justice-migration-human-rights-anja-mihr?context=ubx&refId=3124474b-677b-4881-88df-250c483f4986

    Reference

    Mihr, Anja (2017), “Climate justice, migration and human rights”, Climate Change, Migration and Human Rights, Routledge

  • Critical Perspective on the Identification of ‘Environmental Refugees’ as a Category of Human Rights Concern

    Critical Perspective on the Identification of ‘Environmental Refugees’ as a Category of Human Rights Concern

    In light of the phenomenon of climate change induced migration, this chapter offers a critical reflection not only on the insufficiencies of existing governance, but also of the flaws and weaknesses of reform proposals

    The author challenges the normative discourse surrounding the term “environmental refugee”, focusing on these main ideas: First, environmental migration cannot be governed by analogy with refugees. Second, there is no ethical justification for the protection of environmental migrants as such: solidarity-based arguments rather argue for the protection of migrants, whereas responsibility-based arguments call for a form of ‘climate justice’ for all those affected by climate change.

    Overall, the author urges a more critical and nuanced approach to environmental migration that moves beyond simplistic legal and moral frameworks.

    Learn more about this article here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315622217-3/critical-perspective-identification-environmental-refugees-category-human-rights-concern-beno%C3%AEt-mayer?context=ubx&refId=291640cd-eded-4e60-92ef-0d93f81aa363

    Reference

    Mayer, Benoît (2017), “Critical perspective on the identification of ‘environmental refugees’ as a category of human rights concern”, Climate Change, Migration and Human Rights, Routledge

  • The Human Rights of Climate-Induced Community Relocation

    The Human Rights of Climate-Induced Community Relocation

    In this paper, the case study of the relocation of Newtok – an Indigenous community in Alaska – as a response to climate change is analyzed, exploring human rights issues surrounding climate-induced planned relocations. Newtok is an example of a coastal community that faces forced relocation due to repeated extreme weather, erosion, and the loss of protective coastal barriers.

    The steps taken by federal, state, and tribal governments to support the relocation process are described. However, the absence of designated relocation funding means that agencies must rely on their own budgetary priorities to allocate resources.

    The efforts of Newtok’s tribal government and the Newtok Planning Group are presented here as a model for other communities confronting relocation as a long-term climate adaptation strategy.

    Learn more about this study here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315622217-9/human-rights-climate-induced-community-relocation-robin-bronen?context=ubx&refId=1e1dbd60-e8bc-46a9-959f-38dbb81629d4

    Reference

    Bronen, Robin (2017), “The human rights of climate-induced community relocation”, Climate Change, Migration and Human Rights, Routledge

  • State Responsibility to Prevent Climate Displacement

    State Responsibility to Prevent Climate Displacement

    In this article, the issue of climate displacement as one of the most significant humanitarian and human rights challenges of the twenty-first century is considered.

    It begins by outlining the global scale of the issue and the particular vulnerabilities faced by people displaced by climate-related hazards, and then proceeds to explore the normative foundations of state responsibility to prevent climate displacement and describes the measures governments can take to fulfill this obligation.

    It also emphasizes how poor and marginalized populations are disproportionately affected in all countries.

    Conclusions assess how climate displacement requires coordinated legislative, policy, and practical actions across disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and development.

    Additionally, it explains how effective prevention must also build on international cooperation, supported by strong domestic legal and policy frameworks at national, regional, and global levels.

    Learn more about this article here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315622217-6/state-responsibility-prevent-climate-displacement-ezekiel-simperingham?context=ubx&refId=258f52a3-86b9-4521-b158-687f4dd3c292

    Reference

    Simperingham, Ezekiel (2017), “State responsibility to prevent climate displacement”,
    Climate Change, Migration and Human Rights, Routledge

  • Exploring the Climate Change, Migration and Conflict Nexus

    Exploring the Climate Change, Migration and Conflict Nexus

    According to the authors of this study, the potential link between climate change, migration, and conflict has been discussed and is increasingly viewed by policy makers as a security issue.

    However, considerable uncertainty remains regarding the role that climate variability and change play among the many drivers of migration and conflict.

    So, the main objective of this paper became to explore the potential pathways linking climate change, migration and increased risk of conflict.

    They review existing literature and explore the potential pathways, breaking the problem into two components: the links between climate change and migration, and those between migration and conflict.

    Findings reveal a wide range of views on the importance of climate change as a driver of migration and conflict, and it is argued that future research should look beyond a single linear pathway and consider multiple mechanisms through which climate change may exacerbate conflict.

    The article is concluded by proposing five guiding questions to support further research on the climate – migration – conflict nexus.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13040443

    Reference

    Burrows, K., & Kinney, P. L. (2016). Exploring the Climate Change, Migration and Conflict Nexus. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(4), 443

  • Climate Change, Human Rights, and Social Justice

    Climate Change, Human Rights, and Social Justice

    The environmental and health consequences of climate change are explored in this paper, reiterating how they profoundly affect human rights and social justice, with disproportionate impacts on low-income countries and vulnerable populations within high-income countries.

    It is noticed how environmental changes such as rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise threaten agricultural production, access to safe water, and worker productivity, and are forcing many people to leave uninhabitable or uncultivatable land.

    Climate change also generates serious health impacts, including heat-related illness, vector-borne and waterborne diseases, respiratory disorders, malnutrition, mental health problems, and increased violence. Together, these environmental and health effects threaten civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, including the rights to life, health, food, water, shelter, security, and culture.

    The most vulnerable groups include poor and marginalized populations, women, children, older adults, people with disabilities, and those living in climate-affected regions. Globally, low-income countries—despite contributing least to greenhouse gas emissions—are disproportionately affected and have fewer resources to adapt.

    In conclusion, the authors hypothesize on how climate adaptation and mitigation strategies must be designed to protect human rights, promote social justice, and avoid deepening existing inequalities.

    Learn more about this article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2015.08.008

    Reference

    Levy, B. S., & Patz, J. A. (2015). Climate Change, Human Rights, and Social Justice. Climate Change, Global Health and Human Rights, 81(3), 310–322

  • Climate Justice Without Freedom: Assessing Legal and Political Responses to Climate Change and Forced Migration

    Climate Justice Without Freedom: Assessing Legal and Political Responses to Climate Change and Forced Migration

    As storm surges, flooding, heatwaves, and prolonged drought, as ever more regular features of life under deteriorating climate conditions, are unmistakably violent, and their effects on the lives of vulnerable human populations and ecosystems across the world are devastating.

    At the same time, a legal order that denies the victims of such ecological persecution a safe haven, no matter how great its use of force (e.g., detention, arrest, forced return) cannot, by definition, be violent. This assumption is challenged in this paper.

    It argues that legal instruments are increasingly used to exclude those displaced by climatic conditions and to deny them sufficient normative status to ensure their safety.

    The author calls for a new critical normative understanding of the relationship between climate change, violence, justice, and law, an approach that would reassess the democratic justifications for existing policies and reaffirm the legal and political status of climate-displaced people as equal members of the international community.

    Learn more about this paper here: https://doi.org/10.1177/1368431015579967

    Reference

    Skillington, T. (2015). Climate justice without freedom: Assessing legal and political responses to climate change and forced migration: Assessing legal and political responses to climate change and forced migration. European Journal of Social Theory, 18(3), 288-307