A/67/299 regions”. 8 Developing States facing multiple stresses are likely to be the most severely affected, in particular in Africa, Asia and Oceania: megadeltas, small island developing States, and low-lying coastal and arid areas are most exposed to environmental migration. 36. Within societies, specific groups may be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than others. 9 Economically disadvantaged communities can be especially vulnerable, in particular those concentrated in high-risk areas, as those societies may be highly dependent on the environment for their livelihood. 10 Other determinants play a key role, including personal characteristics such as age, gender, 11 wealth or disability. Moreover, the Special Rapporteur recognizes that in general, people migrating through a lack of choice as a consequence of climate change are more likely to be moving in an irregular situation and are therefore more vulnerable to human rights violations through the course of their migration. 37. Other societal factors are also significant, including for groups that are marginalized or excluded or that experience discrimination, such as minority communities or indigenous peoples. Those communities often live in fragile environments which are more directly affected by climate change. Moreover, due to poverty, groups are often in a weaker position in terms of their ability to anticipate and respond to environmental change resulting in the paradox where the most vulnerable individuals and communities are often those least able to migrate. At the same time, owing to their often limited ability to participate in political life, those groups are often overlooked by the authorities when relief measures are being developed and delivered, or they face serious protection concerns when measures are developed and have a negative impact on them, thus compounding their vulnerability. Another concern is that of secondary impacts, where, as a result of climate change, affected persons are relocated to minority areas or indigenous lands, without adequate consultation or respect for their rights. The Special Rapporteur thus emphasizes the need to ensure that all groups are adequately considered in the context of responding to climate-change-induced migration, with particular attention paid to those who are most vulnerable, including ensuring their active political and technical participation in the development of responses. 38. The Special Rapporteur is also aware that vulnerability is not only determined by geographical, social or economic factors, but also may be the result of political circumstances. The commitment of States to developing appropriate policy responses, either in direct response to a natural disaster, or with regard to long-term __________________ 8 9 10 11 12-46071 See Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, R. K. Pachauri and A. Reisinger, eds., Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report, Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007, p. 65. See A/64/255 and A/HRC/10/61, paras. 42-54. International Panel on Climate Change, R. K. Pachauri and A. Reisinger, eds., Climate Change 2007, Synthesis Report, Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007, p. 48. See A/64/255 and A/HRC/10/61, paras 45-47; see also Alice Edwards, “Displacement, Statelessness and Questions of Gender Equality and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women”, background paper prepared for a UNHCR and Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women joint seminar (New York, 16-17 July 2009). 9