Our belief is that the issue of climate change forced emigration is the responsibility of the entire global community especially the close neighbours of Pacific Ocean nations. The consumption of fossil fuels globally means that the international community has played a massive role in the greenhouse gas emissions which cause the average global temperature to increase and sea levels to rise.

COP23 held in Bonn, Germany and hosted by Fiji in our opinion was a bureaucratic failure to act. The event could have consolidated global consensus to a plan to reduce global climate change instead technicalities were the focus and distraction of talks.Only around 10% of funds promised by developed nations at COP23 has been received by developing nations. One positive that did come from COP23 was the Global Partnership for Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance Solutions which aims to partner G20 countries and V20 countries (vulnerable twenties). The purpose of the fund is to ensure a constant financial flow to the poorest countries in the world who often are the ones facing the consequences of climate change.

 

Therefore, we propose that the UNHCR collect funds from nation states to finance either the reconstruction or relocation process of climate refugees affected by extreme weather events and sea level rise. A mix of temporary housing and subsided rental properties in the new countries receiving climate refugees would ensure shelter for them and governments should aim to create jobs that are accessible to these new citizens. Rental properties would be incentivised due to the increase occupation and reliable subsidized payments within a specialised rental contract pertaining to climate change refugees, enshrined in national law as to protect people when they are most vulnerable.

 

We call for international cooperation in financing this programme, as we do not receive donations from governments or political parties, the financing should be organised by a UN agency hopefully the UNHCR when they change their definition of refugee.

References

 

Greenpeace International. (2017). ‘No future in fossil fuels’; Greenpeace, Pacific activists call for climate action at COP23. [online] Available at: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/press-release/11741/no-future-in-fossil-fuels-greenpeace-pacific-activists-call-for-climate-action-at-cop23/

RESPONSE TO BHP INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION REVIEW. (2017). [ebook] World Coal Association. Available at: https://www.worldcoal.org/sites/default/files/resources_files/WCA%20response%20to%20BHP%20Industry%20Association%20review.pdf [Accessed 17 May 2018].

Climate change refugees are in need of an international legal precedent if they are to survive displacement. Greenpeace is primarily concerned with extreme weather events and rising sea levels that have resulted in alarming displacement estimates. An incredible 42.4 million people were displaced due to disasters in 2010 (IDMC 2017). This should be viewed as a human rights issue as Article 14 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states that ‘everyone has the right to seek… asylum from persecution’ and climate-related oppression should be considered a form of persecution.

The COP23 meeting in Bonn was a movement towards further dialogue with the Fijian president calling for mobilisation on the issue and “action for climate empowerment” (2018). However, COP23 failed to achieve a plan for implementation of preventative and reactive measures. It instead debated ‘technical details and the small print of intergovernmental climate policy’ (Bauer 2017). 

This is an opportunity to close loopholes that have hindered international agreements historically by creating a norm of international agreements that are bound by law rather than voluntary, increasing the chances of success. National governments and international foundations must seek to advocate for climate change displacement solutions. Non-governmental and civil society organisations have brought the issue into international debate and Greenpeace is committed to providing endangered states with a voice and aid. 

Therefore, we propose that jurisdiction in the form of an international legal binding agreement, is headed by the United Nations. Under this agreement global responsibility for climate-related displacement would be assumed and states would be answerable to enforceable proportionate quotas of refugees for states.

Greenpeace as a non-state actor is able to see beyond bias and weighted economic agenda and believes that climate refugees from the Pacific should be granted automatic acceptance into Australia if their culture and way of life is under severe, climate-related threat. Greenpeace urges the government of Australia to look to their neighbours, accept responsibility and assist in drafting an international, legally bound agreement. 

Bauer, S. 2017, ‘COP23: not great but good enough’, German Development Institute, 23 November, viewed 17 May 2018, <https://www.die-gdi.de/en/the-current-column/article/cop23-not-great-but-good-enough/>.

COP23 Fiji 2018, “Exchanges between countries, states and regions, civil society, the private sector, and ordinary men and women have the power to inspire action” – COP23 President at the Dialogue on Action for Climate Empowerment, viewed 17 May 2018, <https://cop23.com.fj/exchanges-countries-states-regions-civil-society-private-sector-ordinary-men-women-power-inspire-action-cop23-president-dialogue-action-climat/>.

Internal Displacement Monitoring Centres 2017, Global Internal Displacement Database, IDMC, viewed 16 May 2018, <http://www.internal-displacement.org/database/displacement-data>.

United Nations 1948, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations General Assembly, Paris.

 

The safety and security of our neighbouring nations is not only our moral responsibility but also imperative to the success of climate change combating as Pacific Islanders are deemed ‘custodians of large ocean states’ and ‘powerful moral leaders’ in the global issue (2011). We would like to align ourselves with the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) to challenge the Australian government that has continually placed a disproportionately large emphasis, both financially and verbally, on border protection and the relocation of refugees. Evidently, stopping climate change refugees is key to the survival of Islanders culture as well as ours. President Anote Tong of Kiribati states “What we are talking about is survival, it’s not about economic development… it’s not politics, its survival” (2015).

 

Although President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the UNFCCC Paris Climate Agreement has weakened progress, it is time to set that aside and achieve measurable prevention. The COP23 in Bonn last year (2017) was a valid attempt towards combating the injustice Pacific Islanders are dealing with but lacked definitive action. In the words of Pacific Island represent activist Samu Kuridrani; “The Pacific has been dealing with the devastating impacts of climate change for years so time is a luxury we do not have. While leaders talk, we face the effects. It’s time for leaders to live up to their promises.” If we want to prevent the global climate refugee crisis, we must begin with the Pacific Islands and take effective action now.

 

The UNHCR optimistically asks Greenpeace if they will support the creation of this new entity, and co-operate with our campaign strategy to influence states to put into action the regulations set out in the Paris Agreement? 

Kind regards, 
Allyson (UNHCR legal representative)

Yours sincerely,
John Wilson
Australian Government Minister