This paper presents one example of how ‘the human face of climate change’ has been brought to an international policy arena – the UNFCCC climate negotiations – in a relatively short period of time by a coordinated effort of research and operational organizations. It describes a process that culminated in the Cancun Adaptation Framework, agreed to recently at COP16 (Dec. 2010). It further assesses the current and future complementary roles for research and operational expertise in identifying policy alternatives to address migration and displacement in the context of climate change. The final section of this paper draws conclusions and reflects on policy implications for research and practice.
Koko Warner, Climate Change Induced Displacement: Adaptation Policy in the Context of the UNFCCC Climate Negotiations., Research Paper No.18, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), May 2011, https://www.refworld.org/reference/lpprs/unhcr/2011/en/86571 [accessed 31 August 2026]
Cross-border displacement as a result of natural disasters and the effects of climate change has been identified as a normative gap in the international protection regime. This paper focuses on the relevance of complementary protection standards applicable at the universal, regional and national levels as a means to address such displacement. It provides an overview of current discussions on climate-related forced displacement and legal responses to it.
Jane McAdam, Climate Change Displacement and International Law: Complementary Protection Standards, Research Paper No.19, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), May 2011, https://www.refworld.org/reference/lpprs/unhcr/2011/en/86122 [accessed 31 August 2026]
Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement, IASC Operational Guidelines on the Protection of persons in Situations of Natural Disaster, January 2011, https://www.refworld.org/policy/legalguidance/brookings/2011/en/83748 [accessed 31 August 2026]
International Law Commission, Protection of persons in the event of disasters : texts and titles of draft articles 6, 7, 8 and 9 / provisionally adopted by the Drafting Committee on 6, 7 and 8 July, A/CN.4/L.776, UN General Assembly, 14 July 2010, https://www.refworld.org/reference/research/unga/2010/en/27284 [accessed 31 August 2026]
International Law Commission, Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters, Texts of draft articles 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 as provisionally adopted by the Drafting Committee, A/CN.4/L.758, UN General Assembly, 24 July 2009, https://www.refworld.org/reference/research/unga/2009/en/85917 [accessed 31 August 2026]
This article first tries to understand why the environmental aspect of the study of migration and refugees has, up until now, been neglected. The author then proposes a definition of population movements induced by environmental factors, before concentrating on climate aspects by providing a synthesis of results put forward by researchers. Finally, it examines forecasts for future developments.
Etienne Piguet, Climate change and forced migration, Research Paper No. 153, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), January 2008, https://www.refworld.org/reference/research/unhcr/2008/en/73172 [accessed 31 August 2026]
Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Protecting Persons Affected by Natural Disasters. IASC Operational Guidelines on Human Rights and Natural Disasters, June 2006, https://www.refworld.org/policy/legalguidance/iasc/2006/en/69574 [accessed 31 August 2026]
