Climate Change and the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951

Przemysław  Osóbka

doi:10.21697/priel.2021.10.1.04

Published: 2021-04-21

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2021)

Climate Change and the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951

Przemysław Osóbka

Polish Review of International and European Law

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/priel.2021.10.1.04

Abstract

The article deals with The United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, Geneva, 28.7.1951 in the context of climate change consequences. Refuge is strictly defined category in the acts of international law. It does not include environmental and climatic reasons to leave one’s country of origin. However, in 1990, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) drew attention to the fact that human migration could be one of the greatest effects of climate change. The author also analyzes the meaning of the provisions of Article 3 and Article 8 ECHR in the discussed area. The article tries to give an answer to the question whether and why it is necessary to apply the Geneva Convention to climate change refugees if they can be protected under core human rights treaties. It is of greatest interest to the extent where if refers to the climate change refugees situation in New Zeeland and Australia. These states seem to be pioneers in giving refugees protection due to climate change consequences. Probably adaptation of the 1951 Convention to the challenges facing the international community in connection with climate change will in itself become an expression of its responsibility for the consequences of these changes and their impact on individuals and entire communities.

Keywords:

refugees, migration, climate change, environment, responsibility, the 1951 Convention

Download files

PDF

Citation rules

Osóbka, P. . (2021). Climate Change and the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951. Polish Review of International and European Law, 10(1), 103–120. https://doi.org/10.21697/priel.2021.10.1.04

Cited by / Share

References

Afifi T., Jäger J. (eds.), Environment, Forced Migration and Social Vulnerability, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12416-7
Google Scholar

Black R., Environmental refugees: myth or reality?, New Issues in Refugee Research, Working Paper 34, UNHCR, Geneva 2001
Google Scholar

Caney S., Climate change, human rights and moral thresholds, [in:] Stephen Humphreys (ed.), ‘Human Rights and Climate Change’, Cambridge University Press 2010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195399622.003.0018
Google Scholar

Cardy F., Environment and forced migration. A review, Nairobi 1994
Google Scholar

Cummings B., Refugees of the 21st Century: Climate Change and an Uninhabitable Middle East/North Africa, ‘University of Denver Water Law Review’ 2019, vol. 22, no. 2
Google Scholar

Gleick P.H., Water, Drought, Climate Change, and Conflict in Syria, ‘Weather, Climate, and Society’ 2014, vol. 6, no. 3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1175/WCAS-D-13-00059.1
Google Scholar

Goodwin-Gill G.S., McAdam J., The Refugee in International Law, Oxford, 2007
Google Scholar

Hey E., Advanced Introduction to International Environmental Law, Elgar Publishing 2016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781781954584
Google Scholar

Kälin W., Schrepfer N., Protecting People Crossing Borders in the Context of Climate Change: Normative Gaps and Possible Approaches, UNHCR, Geneva 2012
Google Scholar

Koser K., Environmental Change and Migration: Implications for Australia, Lowy Institute For International Policy, December 2012
Google Scholar

Magniny V., Les réfugiés de l’environnement : hypothèse juridique à propose d’une menace écologique, Thèse pour le doctorat en droit présentée et soutenue publiquement le 25 Mai 1999, Paris 1999
Google Scholar

McAdam J., Climate Change, Forced Migration, and International Law, Oxford-New York 2012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199587087.001.0001
Google Scholar

McAdam J., Climate Change-related Displacement of Persons [in:] ‘The Oxford Handbook of International Climate Change’, Oxford University Press 2016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/law/9780199684601.003.0023
Google Scholar

McAdam J., The European Union Qualification Directive: The Creation of a Subsidiary Protection Regime, ‘International Journal of Refugee Law’ 2005, vol. 17, no. 3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ijrl/eei018
Google Scholar

Oliver-Smith A., Debating Environmental Migration: Society, Nature and Population Displacement in Climate Change, ‘Journal of International Development’ 2012, vol. 24 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.2887
Google Scholar

Osóbka P., The Problem of ‘Climate Refugees’ in the Perspective of International Humanitarian Law – Selected Issues, ‘Studia z zakresu nauk prawnoustrojowych. Miscellanea’, vol. 2, no. VIII, Bydgoszcz 2018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0013.0368
Google Scholar

Piguet E., Climate change and forced migration, New Issues in Refugee Research, Working Paper 2008, no. 153
Google Scholar

Selby J., Dahi O. S., Fröhlich Ch., Hulme M., Climate change and the Syrian civil war revisited, ‘Political Geography’ 2017, vol. 60 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2017.05.007
Google Scholar

Solomon M.K., Warner K., Protection of Persons Displaced as Results of Climate Change. Existing Tools and Emerging Frameworks, [in:] Gerrard M.B., Warnier G.E. (ed.), ‘Threatened Island Nations’, Cambridge University Press 2013
Google Scholar

Stapleton S.O., Nadin R., Watson Ch., Kellett J., Climate change, migration and displacement: the need for a risk-informed and coherent approach, Overseas Development Institute and United Nations Development Programme 2017
Google Scholar

Steffens J., Climate Change Refugees in the Time of Sinking Islands, ‘Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law’ 2019, vol. 52, no. 3
Google Scholar

Termiński B., Migracje, uchodźstwo i wysiedlenia wewnętrzne w świecie doby globalizacji: studium socjologiczno-prawne, Regensburg 2016
Google Scholar

UNHCR, Environment & Climate Change, Geneva 2015
Google Scholar

Verschuuren J., Research Handbook on Climate Change Adaptation Law, Elgar Publishing 2013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781781000083
Google Scholar

von Doussa H.J., Corkery A., Chartres R., Human Rights and Climate Change, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) 2008
Google Scholar

Przemysław Osóbka

priel@uksw.edu.pl
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4632-840X

Affiliation:

Kujawy and Pomorze University in Bydgoszcz Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

PhD, Kujawy and Pomorze University in Bydgoszcz, Institute of Law