An Insecure Climate for Human Security? Climate-Induced Displacement and International Law

HUMAN SECURITY & NON-CITIZENS, A. Edwards & C. Ferstman, eds., Cambridge University Press, 2009

Sydney Centre for International Law Working Paper No. 4

Sydney Law School Research Paper No. 08/131

27 Pages Posted: 4 Nov 2008

See all articles by Ben Saul

Ben Saul

The University of Sydney - Faculty of Law

Jane McAdam

University of New South Wales (UNSW) - UNSW Law & Justice

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: October 31, 2008

Abstract

This paper first outlines the phenomenon of climate-induced displacement, with a focus on displacement from small island States (particularly in the Pacific), on which the impacts of climate change are well documented and keenly felt (although the challenges manifested there have parallels in vastly different contexts). The paper next reviews how existing international law applies to those displaced or at risk of displacement from the effects of climate change. Having identified the limitations of existing international law in responding to the needs of those displaced by climate change, this paper then focuses on whether the emerging concepts of 'human security' and the 'responsibility to protect' could provide useful frameworks for identifying and analyzing the rights and interests at risk and for crafting responses to those risks.

Keywords: international law, climate change, human security, human displacement, international environmental law, human rights, humanitarian law

JEL Classification: K10, K30, K32, K33

Suggested Citation

Saul, Ben and McAdam, Jane, An Insecure Climate for Human Security? Climate-Induced Displacement and International Law (October 31, 2008). HUMAN SECURITY & NON-CITIZENS, A. Edwards & C. Ferstman, eds., Cambridge University Press, 2009, Sydney Centre for International Law Working Paper No. 4, Sydney Law School Research Paper No. 08/131, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1292605

Ben Saul (Contact Author)

The University of Sydney - Faculty of Law ( email )

New Law Building, F10
The University of Sydney
Sydney, NSW 2006
Australia

HOME PAGE: http://https://sydney.edu.au/law/about/people/profiles/ben.saul.php

Jane McAdam

University of New South Wales (UNSW) - UNSW Law & Justice ( email )

Kensington, New South Wales 2052
Australia

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