Abstract

Climate induced migration became a recognized phenomenon. Due to the adverse effects of climate change, populations in certain affected areas will start to move either as a form of adaptation or because of failure to adapt thereof. The main questions raised are concerned with the rights of the people displaced. On the other hand, what obligations do states and the international community have to provide protection for these populations. This paper argues that climate migrants are not protected from both the causes and effects of climate change. The international environment governance system does not seem to have regulated the process that guarantees global environmental protection. On the other hand, if people start to move due to the effects of climate change, they will fall from the existing gaps in the international protection system. This paper also specifically looks at the moral dimension of the phenomenon of climate change, and presents why moral questioning is of value when dealing with such contentious issue. It also speaks to the no-harm principle being a fundamental principle in international law and specifically to environmental law. Despite its importance, this principle is usually neglected when formulating policies on climate change. It argues that the no-harm principle was missing from the context of Paris Agreement, and thus kept the prospects of harm in place. It does this by its commitment to industrial growth and avoiding having emission reduction targets. As well, this paper discusses how climate migrants are not adequately addressed in Paris Agreement due to certain geopolitical settings, sustaining the possibility of them remaining highly vulnerable. This paper highlights legal and moral failure of the international society towards climate change at large and towards climate migrants in particular.

Department

Law Department

Degree Name

MA in International Human Rights Law

Graduation Date

6-1-2017

Submission Date

May 2017

First Advisor

Beckett, Jason

Committee Member 1

Natarajan, Usha

Committee Member 2

Sayed, Hani

Extent

69 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Not necessary for this item

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