Climate refugees: Crisis the world will face, unless we unite in global action

Climate refugees: Crisis the world will face, unless we unite in global action | Photo: Wesley Tingey

The world stands at a critical juncture where climate change is no longer a distant threat but a driver of human displacement on an unprecedented scale. The United Nations’ 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report reveals that 120 million people were forcibly displaced by May 2024, with extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and rising sea levels playing an escalating role alongside conflict. This phenomenon, known as climate migration, intersects directly with SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Addressing it is not merely an environmental necessity but a moral and legal imperative to safeguard human rights and advance global sustainability.

The urgency lies in protecting vulnerable populations, women, children, and indigenous communities, while fostering equitable solutions to ensure no one is left behind.

The scale of climate displacement

A global challenge with regional impacts

The World Bank’s 2021 Groundswell Report projects that, without urgent action, 216 million people could become internal climate migrants by 2050 across six regions, with Sub-Saharan Africa (86 million) and South Asia (40 million) facing the brunt. In Bangladesh, for instance, rising sea levels threaten to submerge 17% of the country by 2050, potentially displacing 20 million people. Similarly, in the Sahel, where temperatures are rising 1.5 times faster than the global average, prolonged droughts have devastated agricultural livelihoods, forcing millions to migrate internally or across borders. These statistics underscore the need for climate resilience and adaptation measures to mitigate displacement and its cascading effects on global society.

Human rights at stake

Climate migration is not just a logistical challenge; it is a human rights crisis. Displaced populations often face heightened risks of poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and exposure to violence. Women and children, who comprise a significant portion of climate migrants, are particularly vulnerable. In the Sahel, for example, erratic rainfall and flooding exacerbate waterborne diseases, while dry seasons increase reliance on unsafe water sources, disproportionately affecting these groups. The 1951 Refugee Convention, designed for those fleeing persecution, offers no protection for climate refugees, leaving a legal void. This gap undermines SDG 16’s call for inclusive institutions and access to justice, as millions are left without formal recognition or support.

Local solutions, global failures

Community-led adaptation shows promise

Some regions are pioneering local responses. In Pacific Island nations like Kiribati, community-led relocation programmes help coastal communities move inland to escape rising seas. These initiatives align with SDG 13 by promoting climate adaptation while preserving cultural and social cohesion. In Bangladesh, projects like the World Bank’s NARI initiative provide training and housing for women displaced by floods, empowering them to rebuild livelihoods in urban centres like Dhaka. Such efforts demonstrate that grassroots solutions, when supported by adequate funding, can uphold human dignity and foster sustainable development.

Yet, global governance lags behind. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has largely overlooked climate migration, and the Global Compact for Migration, while acknowledging environmental drivers, lacks binding commitments. This failure to establish global legal protections for climate migrants risks exacerbating inequalities, contravening SDG 10. Wealthier nations, historically responsible for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions, often resist accepting displaced populations, leaving poorer nations to bear disproportionate burdens.

The path forward: Integrating SDGs

Addressing climate migration requires a multi-faceted approach. First, international frameworks must evolve. Proposals for a dedicated global fund to support climate-displaced populations, as suggested by Earth.Org, could channel resources to vulnerable regions. Second, strengthening regional cooperation, through bodies like the African Union or ASEAN, can facilitate safe migration pathways and reduce cross-border tensions. Third, investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as Jordan’s Aqaba-Amman water desalination project, can mitigate resource scarcity that drives displacement.

These actions align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly by reducing inequalities (SDG 10), combating climate change (SDG 13), and building inclusive institutions (SDG 16). Without concerted effort, the projected 500 million climate migrants by 2050, as estimated by some researchers, will overwhelm existing systems, deepening global inequities.

A call to act

The intersection of climate migration and human rights demands urgent attention. Policymakers, civil society, and individuals must advocate for robust legal frameworks and equitable adaptation measures. For further insights, explore the World Bank’s Groundswell Report or UNHCR’s Strategic Plan for Climate Action 2024–2030. By acting now, the global community can uphold human rights, advance sustainability, and ensure a just future for all.