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.
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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