Planned Relocations in the Context of ClimateChange: Unpacking the Legal and Conceptual Issues

Abstract

Over the past six or so years, a wealth of research has sought to analyse conceptually, and document empirically, the links between climate change and human migration and displacement. However, considerably less attention has been given to planned relocations made necessary by the effects of climate change. This article seeks to contribute to the emerging policy debates over relocation as a form of adaptation to climate change. It begins by examining conceptual issues related to 'relocation' in light of existing normative frameworks, before turning to policy challenges about how relocations are-or could be-used in practice. Indeed, the challenges raised by relocation are closely linked to how it is conceptualised, since this impacts on how particular movements are understood, who takes responsibility for them, over what timeframe, and in what manner. Many of the examples are drawn from the Pacific, a region where the impacts of climate change are already being felt and movements are already occurring. In particular, historical cases of relocation in the Pacific, whether for environmental or other reasons, provide insights and analogies that may be useful for contemporary policy deliberations.

Promoting Human Security: Planned Relocation as a Protection Tool in a Time of Climate Change

“…The Draft Articles are underpinned by general principles of international law, including respect for human dignity, human rights, nondiscrimination, and principles of humanity (McAdam and Ferris 2015). As the UN body of legal experts elected by states to promote the progressive development of international law and its codification, the ILC's Draft Articles, while not formally binding, carry considerable authority.…”

Planned resettlement to avoid climatic hazards: What prospects for just outcomes in China?

“…The UNFCCC's Taskforce on Displacement is currently developing recommendations to avert, minimise and address climate-related displacement, which includes planned relocation (Warsaw International Mechanism Executive Committee, 2017). Elsewhere it has been suggested that international adaptation funding mechanisms be used to fund resettlement schemes (McAdam and Ferris, 2015). Elsewhere it has been suggested that international adaptation funding mechanisms be used to fund resettlement schemes (McAdam and Ferris, 2015).…”

“…A recent report by the Brookings Institution and UNHCR suggests that planned relocation will be needed once communities have passed a 'risk threshold' beyond which it is no longer safe for people to remain in place, and that relocation is less expensive than assisting people to rebuild their lives post-disaster (Brookings and UNHCR, 2015). Elsewhere it has been suggested that international adaptation funding mechanisms be used to fund resettlement schemes (McAdam and Ferris, 2015). These discussions and other publications (for instance de Sherbinin et al, 2011) have begun to position resettlement as a logical adaptive response to the impacts of climate change.…”

Resettlement and the environment in Vietnam: Implications for climate change adaptation planning

“…However, amongst the literature and case studies in this growing field of research, 'less attention has been given to planned relocations made necessary by the effects of climate change ' (McAdam and Ferris 2015: 137). Moreover, there is no clear consensus about whether planned relocation (termed here as resettlement) in anticipation of, or as a response to, climate change impacts can be considered adaptation (Barnett and O'Neill 2011;McAdam and Ferris 2015). Adaptation measures should decrease a population's vulnerability to harm and exposure to environmental or other risks (Smit and Wandel 2006;Miller and Bowen 2013).…”

“…After years of intransigence, a number of major international agreements across the areas of disasters, climate change, and sustainable development, that bring together national governments, the United Nations (UN) and other international actors and civil society, are beginning to concretely address the concerns associated with people who may have to move because of environmental changes. Despite this positive turn, much of this effort has focused on the issue of migration due to climate and other environmental changes, with planned resettlement in response to climate change (whether within or across international borders) remaining a poorly acknowledged and addressed area (de Sherbinin et al 2011;McAdam and Ferris 2015).…”