Climate Migration New Diplomatic 'bargaining Chip': Expert
Sumaira FH Published November 11, 2023 | 02:10 PM
Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Nov, 2023) Offering visas to citizens of islands sinking into rising seas caused by climate change could be a way for countries to score diplomatic points, Francois Gemenne, a specialist in environmental geopolitics told AFP.
Gemenne, a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), was speaking after Australia announced it would offer refugee to the 11,000 residents of the Pacific island of Tuvalu.
AFP: Is Australia's decision to offer refugee status to citizens of Tuvalu a game-changer for people displaced by climate change?
GEMENNE: Clearly it's an important step when it comes to the legal recognition that climate change is increasingly driving migration and displacement around the world.
And what that means is that our asylum and migration policies will have to adapt to this new situation.
But there is no will today at the international level to change the definition of refugee in the Geneva Convention, nor to try to draw up a new text on the status of climate refugee in international law.
AFP: Could other regions, like Africa, use Australia's decision to push for a change in asylum laws?
GEMENNE: More than 80 percent of the refugees protected by the Geneva Convention are taken in by countries in the global south.
They know that if climate refugees were recognised under international law, then they too would have to grant it.
What southern countries want most is money to help them mitigate (the effects of climate change) and for losses and damages it causes, and these losses and damages obviously include the cost of migration and displacement.
Island states are obviously different because they do not take in people but rather are the source of refugees.
I think what we're likely to see is a series of bilateral accords between the countries which are most under threat and countries which could welcome the refugees, as is the case today between Australia and Tuvalu.
To cite one example, New Zealand already has a employment accords with small island states. There are already a whole series of accords up and running in the region.
AFP: Is climate migration part of a new power play in the Pacific?
GEMENNE: It's clear that migration is increasingly becoming a bargaining chip in international relations.
If Australia is doing a deal today with Tuvalu it is partly because it is seeking to boost its influence in the South Pacific.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 28 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 28 April 2024
Fresh wave of rainfall in AJK continues for the second consecutive day
Babar, bowlers help Pakistan level series 2-2 against New Zealand
Attack in restive Chilean province leaves three police officers dead
PM, Saudi Royal court advisor discuss ways to boost economic ties
England clinch third successive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam
DC Bahawalnagar leads fight for fair bread prices
Sheffield Utd relegated from Premier League
02 proclaimed offenders arrested by Wah Police
Pakistan level T20I series with nine-run victory over New Zealand
Minister meets Chinese Consul General, discusses bilateral cooperation, Chinese ..
More Stories From World
-
Football: French Ligue 1 table
19 minutes ago -
Inter continue Serie A title party as Bologna slip in Champions League bid
19 minutes ago -
Paris Saint-Germain win Ligue 1 title after Monaco defeat
49 minutes ago -
Man City see off Forest to close on Premier League leaders Arsenal
1 hour ago -
Italian PM Meloni says will stand in EU elections
2 hours ago -
Masood Khan hails Pakistani-American physicians role in upgrading Pakistan's healthcare system; also ..
2 hours ago
-
Celtic down Dundee to stay on course for Scottish Premiership crown
2 hours ago -
Ireland will act to send asylum seekers back to UK: PM
2 hours ago -
Kainz keeps Cologne's hope alive with late equaliser at Mainz
2 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
2 hours ago -
Inter continue Serie A title party as Bologna slip in Champions League bid
3 hours ago -
Masood Khan hails Pakistani-American physicians role in upgrading Pakistan's healthcare system; also ..
3 hours ago