Where is climate asylum?

Abstract

This editorial discusses an alarming issue in the time of climate change: climate mobilities and, particularly, forced climate migration and the need for climate refuge and climate asylum. The focus is on the European Union (EU) where migration and asylum policies are being currently developed under the 'New Pact', yet with little intention to relate with climate mobilities of any kind. Neither does the EU's environmental and climate policy Green Deal give much attention to human mobility. At the same time, the EU has commenced many briefings on the topic, which shows that the subject matter itself is well known. The editorial hence asks, where is climate asylum if not in the EU, and when, if not at this juncture of creating new asylum policies?

Does Environmental Change Affect Migration Especially into the EU?

“…Regarding the discussion of the forced environmental/climate migration issue and the need for climate refuge and asylum, with a particular focus on the EU, (Kallio and Riding 2023) emphasized the importance of incorporating climate-related displacement into EU migration and refugee policies. They highlighted the EU's long-standing commitment to a human-rights-based approach in international affairs and urged expanding this approach to protect individuals displaced by natural disasters.…”