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change would not be sufficient for ensuring that such persons are protected under
the international refugee law regime. The Special Rapporteur notes that, in all
likelihood, political agreements would probably be reached whereby resettlement
would be negotiated for the affected population. However, such agreements are
usually triggered by disasters when lives have already been lost and thus come late
in the day. A framework of protection for such vulnerable persons should be
provided by international law, and not only depend upon the political will — or lack
thereof — of benevolent States.
E.
Looking ahead: political engagement on the issue of climatechange-induced migration
69. In the light of the above analysis, the Special Rapporteur emphasizes that, as a
complement to sustainable adaptation strategies, policies should facilitate some
environmentally induced migration. Preventing or constraining such migration is not
a risk-free option: it may in fact lead to accelerated impoverishment, increased
displacement and irregular migration in many settings, particularly in low-lying
coastal zones, drylands and mountain regions, making future migration crises more
probable. As the foresight report observed: “the cost of inaction is likely to be
higher than the costs of measures discussed in this report, especially if they reduce
the likelihood of problematic displacement. Giving urgent policy attention to
migration in the context of environmental change now will prevent a much worse
and more costly situation in the future.”18
70. To respond appropriately to the situations of climate-change-induced
migration, engagement is necessary at all levels of governance. Moreover, policy
responses to the multiple impacts of climate change need to be developed
simultaneously. Short-term response might be largely humanitarian, in the context
of both sudden, climate-related disasters and that of slower impacts, such as food
and water insecurity and access to other basic rights. However, such approaches
need to be supplemented by medium- and long-term responses. Medium-term
responses should focus on adaptation at the community and country levels, building
resilience in populations at risk from environmental deterioration and the efficient
use of technologies to better depend on the natural changing of the environment.
Policy development and programming also need to be factored in. Long-term
policies require international engagement in the limitation of greenhouse gas
emissions in order to limit the pace of global warming.
71. In the light of these complex necessities, the section below outlines only a few
of the key considerations regarding the role that Governments should play and
highlights the equal importance of the engagement of not only individually affected
States, but also the international community and civil society in responding to those
needs.
1.
Duties of Governments
72. The complex dimensions of environmental change and migration demand
coordination from a broad spectrum of governmental actors, including but not
limited to: adaptation funding; development cooperation; urban planning; rural
affairs; conflict management; disaster planning; migration policies; and
environmental policy. Action and coordination will also be required between
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