It is currently unquestionable that there is a greater need for economic assistance from developed nations whose emissions are far greater than those feeling the effects. Therefore, the UNHCR is expecting to see the following issues adopted in the next COP (Katowice, 2018).

1.     Economic support by all parties to create a United Nation body that deals purely with climate refugees.

2.     Create a new definition, which will allow the UNHCR to further narrow its approach in providing financial assistance to climate refugees.

3.     Urging all states to offer greater financial assistance to the UNHCR to implement precautionary measures.

4.     States offer economic support to climate refugees once they have been adopted into their respective states.

 

If these issues are addressed within the upcoming COP, and further measures are taken within the Paris agreement, the economic benefits will be evidently seen throughout all states. Through helping/incorporating climate refugees the receiving states will economically benefit as it will in turn boost their national economy. The influx of climate refugees will offer consumption and entrepreneurship subsequently resulting in additional purchasing power, opportunities for greater employment, and development within the host countries (A. Betts, 2015). This paper will further mention the beneficial outcomes in incorporating and aiding UNHCRs climate refugees for countries with an ageing population.

 

To conclude, the UNHCR is confident states will accept the mentioned issues due to the pre-existing governance of the organisation, the prior support from partied states and organisations, and the unquestionable desperate need for economic assistance towards climate refugees.

 

Betts, A. (2014). Refugees Economy: Rethinking Popular Assumptions. [ebook] Refugee Study Centre. Available at: https://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/files/files-1/refugee-economies-2014.pdf [Accessed 12 May 2018].

Matsangou, E. (2015). Refugees are an economic benefit, not burden, to Europe. [online] Worldfinance.com. Available at: https://www.worldfinance.com/special-reports/refugees-are-an-economic-benefit-not-burden-to-europe [Accessed 14 May 2018].

UNHCR (2018). Climate Change and Disasters. [online] UNHCR. Available at: http://www.unhcr.org/en-au/climate-change-and-disasters.html [Accessed 12 May 2018].

UNHCR (2018). Donors. [online] UNHCR. Available at: http://www.unhcr.org/en-au/donors.html [Accessed 12 May 2018].

UNHCR (2018). Financials | Global Focus. [online] Reporting.unhcr.org. Available at: http://reporting.unhcr.org/financial#tabs-financial-budget [Accessed 12 May 2018].

Climate change is no longer just a scientific issue. It is an issue that is now affecting the very fabrication and continuation of culture around the world. As mentioned in the perspective published by Antonio Guterres (2009), most climate related refugee placement issues can be internally solved with help of the UNHCR. The framework for cross-border movement, an issue that is problematic currently, should be redefined in the context of interstate cooperation but the flexibility of policies that has shown in the past remains.

Natural disasters in the past two decades has risen from approximately 200 to more then 400 per year, this means that nine out of ten natural disasters today are climate related (Guterres 2009). Consequently, as many as 20 million people have been “displaced by climate induced sudden-onset natural disasters” in one year. This mass movement of the population will have an obvious affect on the structure of government, the processes of urbanisation, the continuation of culture and the distribution of resources and public services. It is for these reasons that it is essential for redefinition and reform of current terminology and policies to be actioned. It is crucial for countries apart of the Paris Agreement and the upcoming COP to adhere to their agreements, and strive to achieve goals set. 

With migration already causing tension within nations today, it is in the best interest for powers to commit to a plan to reduce even larger scale movement in future.