scholarly journals BUILDING INTERNATIONAL APPROACHES TO CLIMATE CHANGE, DISASTERS, AND DISPLACEMENT

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Jane McAdam
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
International Law ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
International Borders ◽  
De Se ◽  
Droit International ◽  
Complementary Set ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Legal Frameworks ◽  
Changements Climatiques

On average, one person is displaced each second by a disaster-related hazard.  Most people move within their own countries, but some are forced across international borders. This article outlines the scope of existing international legal frameworks to assist people displaced in the context of disasters and climate change, and suggests a variety of different tools that are required to address the phenomenon. Legal, policy, technical and scientific interventions, including disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation, development, and migration opportunities, will determine whether, and for how long, people can remain in their homes, and whether doing so enables them to lead dignified lives or exposes them to risks and increased vulnerability. Identifying the need for a broad, complementary set of policy strategies necessarily affects how international law should be progressively developed in this area. En moyenne, une personne est déplacée à chaque seconde en raison d’un danger lié à une catastrophe. La plupart d’entre elles sont déplacées à l’intérieur de leur pays mais certaines sont obligées de se rendre à l’étranger. Dans cet article, l’auteure décrit dans les grandes lignes la portée des cadres juridiques internationaux existants qui aident les personnes déplacées en raison de catastrophes, climatiques notamment, et propose différents outils qui sont nécessaires pour répondre à ce phénomène. Les interventions juridiques, politiques, techniques et scientifiques, notamment la réduction des risques de catastrophe, les mesures d’adaptation aux changements climatiques et d’atténuation, le développement et les possibilités migratoires, déterminent si les gens peuvent rester chez eux et pendant combien de temps et si le fait de rester chez eux leur permet de vivre dans la dignité ou les expose à des dangers et accroît leur vulnérabilité. L’établissement de la nécessité de stratégies d’action vastes et complémentaires a forcément un effet sur le sens dans lequel on devrait faire évoluer progressivement le droit international dans ce domaine.

Climate-induced Displacement in Bangladesh: Recognition and Protection under International Law

2013 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Mahmud Naser
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
International Law ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Human Migration ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
International Environmental Law ◽  
Refugee Law ◽  
International Legal System ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Legal Frameworks

Climate change and human migration are two cross-cutting issues that demand immediate and appropriate responses from both international and national authorities. This article deals with a number of complex issues under international environmental law, human rights law and migration and refugee law, which have important ramifications for the protection of climate-induced displacement in Bangladesh. It examines these legal frameworks to assess how appropriate they are in regulating climate-induced displacement and underscores current gaps or limitations within the international legal system for effective recognition and protection of climate change migrants. The development of ‘soft guidelines’ suggested in this study would establish an international framework for the specific recognition, treatment and protection of climate change displaced persons and fill the legal gaps with the specificity required by states and communities.

The Status of Indigenous Peoples under International Law: Greenland and the Right to Self-Determination

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 243-257
Author(s):  
Frederik Harhoff
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
De Se ◽  
The Status ◽  
Droit International ◽  
The Right ◽  
Peuples Autochtones

SommaireL'autodétermination des peuples autochtones suscite la controverse en droit international contemporain depuis que le processus de décolonisation s'est achevé, à la fin des années 1960. Parce qu’ils craignaient avant tout des désordres nationaux, de nombreux pays ont refusé de reconnaître que les peuples autochtones ont le droit de se séparer du territoire national et d'obtenir leur indépendance. Cependant, même la reconnaissance d'un droit moins vaste, soit un droit de recevoir un statut spécial et d'obtenir l'autonomie politique dans le cadre des frontières étatiques existantes, demeure une question litigieuse, car aucune définition claire des bénéficiaires et de la substance de ces droits ne peut être établie. De toute façon, la disparité des conditions politiques, économiques, sociales et climatiques dans lesquelles vivent les peuples autochtones du monde entier rend futile la création d'un seul et unique concept d'autodétermination qui s'appliquerait au monde entier. Pour sortir de cette impasse, on propose d'adopter une approche procédurale, au lieu d'essayer de fixer ces questions dans des termes juridiques stricts.Le fait de qualifier le concept d'autodétermination de processus, au lieu de le décrire comme étant une série de règles exactes et préétablies, a pour avantage d'apporter un élément de flexibilité, car il permet aux deux parties, c'est-à-dire les États et les peuples autochtones, de trouver des appuis pour défendre leurs intérêts et d'imaginer une solution viable qui tienne compte des circonstances particulières de chaque cas. Mais toutes les parties concernées devraient tout d'abord accepter trois conditions préalables:(1) Le droit de sécession immédiate et d'indépendance complète, en tant qu'aspect du droit à l'autodétermination, devrait être réservé aux peuples autochtones des territoires d'outre-mer.(2) Les États ont le devoir de favoriser l'autonomie de leurs peuples autochtones et le fardeau de prouver qu 'ih offrent la plus grande autonomie possible aux peuples autochtones vivant sur leurs territoires.(3) Une fois que des ententes relatives à l'autonomie ont été conclues, les États ne peuvent pas les révoquer, les abréger ou les modifier unilatéralement.L'auteur de cette note examine ensuite le régime d'autonomie du Groenland et conclut que ce régime semble satisfaire aux critères énoncés, bien que la question du statut actuel du Groenland (et des îles Faroe) au sein du royaume danois demeure incertaine sur le plan constitutionnel. Le régime d'autonomie implique un transfert irrévocable des pouvoirs législatifs et administratifs des autorités danoùes aux autorités du Groenland, ce qui a pour effet de créer un régime juridique indépendant au Groenland. Par ailleurs, il est entendu que le régime d'autonomie du Groenland permet d'établir un système judiciaire indépendant, si les tribunaux danois du Groenland ne reconnaissent pas la validité de la Loi d'autonomie du Groenland.

Climate Change-related Displacement of Persons

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane McAdam
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
International Law ◽  
Internal Displacement ◽  
Address Climate Change ◽  
Political Incentives ◽  
International Borders ◽  
Refugee Law ◽  
International Refugee Law ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

This chapter examines the scope of existing international law to address ‘climate change-related displacement’, a term used to describe movement where the impacts of climate change affect mobility decisions in some way. It looks into the role of international refugee law, human rights law, and the law on statelessness in protecting people displaced by the impacts of climate change. The extent to which international law and international institutions respond to climate change-related movement and displacement depends upon: whether such movement is perceived as voluntary or forced; the nature of the trigger; whether international borders are crossed; the extent to which there are political incentives to characterize movement as linked to climate change or not; and whether movement is driven or aggravated by human factors, such as discrimination. The chapter also considers the extent to which existing principles on internal displacement provide normative and practical guidance.

The Oxford Handbook of International Climate Change Law

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
International Law ◽  
National Level ◽  
First Century ◽  
Trading Systems ◽  
Customary International Law ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
International Climate ◽  
Legal Frameworks ◽  
International Climate Change

Climate change presents one of the greatest challenges of our time, and has become one of the defining issues of the twenty-first century. The radical changes which both developed and developing countries will need to make, in economic and in legal terms, to respond to climate change are unprecedented. International law, including treaty regimes, institutions, and customary international law, needs to address the myriad challenges and consequences of climate change, including variations in the weather patterns, sea level rise, and the resulting migration of peoples. This book provides an authoritative overview of all aspects of international climate change law as it currently stands, with guidance for how it should develop in the future. This book sets out to analyse the legal issues that surround this vitally important but still emerging area of international law. This book addresses the major legal dimensions of the problems caused by climate change: not only in the content and nature of the international legal frameworks, which need implementation at the national level, but also the development of carbon trading systems as a means of reducing the costs of meeting emission reduction targets. After an introduction to the field, the book assesses the relevant institutions, the key applicable principles of international law, the international mitigation regime and its consequences, and climate change litigation, before providing perspectives focused upon specific countries or regions.

scholarly journals Coherence, Alignment and Integration: Understanding the Legal Relationship Between Sustainable Development, Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction

2021 ◽  
pp. 45-64
Author(s):  
Dug Cubie ◽  
Tommaso Natoli
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
International Law ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
International Norms ◽  
The Sustainable Development

AbstractInternational law can play an important role in promoting national, regional and international actions to tackle the human impacts of climate change and disasters. Of note, 2015 saw the adoption of three interconnected normative frameworks: the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One may therefore be tempted to view this body of international norms, rules and standards as a comprehensive and unified system. Yet the increasing complexity and specialisation of different international legal regimes has led to concerns regarding a confusing fragmentation of international law. This chapter will therefore examine the relationship between the three topics of sustainable development, climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) from a legal perspective. The chapter will commence with a discussion of the legal status of different international instruments, before providing a textual analysis of the language used by states, the UN, NGOs and other actors in the relevant documents. We then propose an ‘hourglass’ model of the legal relationships between these three different international frameworks based on: systemic coherence at the international level; vertical alignment between the international, regional and national levels; and horizontal integration of international norms at the domestic level. To support this proposal, examples will be provided from the Pacific Island Countries (PICs), drawing on research undertaken through the IRC-MSCA CAROLINE project ‘Leave No One Behind: Developing Climate-Smart/Disaster Risk Management Laws that Protect People in Vulnerable Situations for a Comprehensive Implementation of the UN Agenda 2030.’

Part III Public International Law Disputes, Climate Disputes, and Sustainable Development in the Energy Sector, 16 International Boundary Disputes and Natural Resources

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles Wendy
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
International Law ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
International Borders ◽  
Boundary Disputes ◽  
International Boundary ◽  
And Control

This chapter deals with international boundary disputes and natural resources. After providing an historical context to modern boundaries, the chapter describes how climate change directly impacts land, food, and water access because of increased extreme weather conditions. Thus, climate change can threaten peace and security in fragile regions due to conflicts over diminishing inhabitable territory and natural resources. The chapter assesses how international boundary disputes can be affected by changing demands for oil (eg in Kurdistan and South Sudan), and for renewable energy resources (eg the ownership, use, and control of rivers crossing multiple borders). It also reflects on a more global scope the effects that climate change-related migration has on the modern understanding of international borders.

scholarly journals THE CROWN’S FIDUCIARY DUTIES TO ABORIGINAL PEOPLES AS AN ASPECT OF CLIMATE JUSTICE

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 289
Author(s):  
Erika Chamberlain
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Common Law ◽  
Aboriginal Peoples ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Arctic Environment ◽  
Droit International ◽  
Arctic Climate Change ◽  
Changements Climatiques

Rapid climate change in the arctic is threatening the life, health and cultural traditions of the Inuit. Although they are among the least responsible for climate change, they are suffering disproportionately from its negative effects. In particular, the inherent link between Inuit land and culture means that their traditional practices are being threatened along with the arctic environment. However, their efforts to obtain redress from those responsible for greenhouse gas emissions have so far been unsuccessful. Claims in common law public nuisance have been plagued by issues of standing, justiciability and causation, and claims at international law are difficult to prove and enforce. It seems that a different approach may be required.This article examines whether the Crown’s fiduciary obligation toward Canada’s Aboriginal peoples might provide a useful conceptual framework for addressing arctic climate change. Although this obligation is typically applied in situations involving Aboriginal lands or distinctive cultural practices, it can arguably be invoked to protect the traditional subsistence lifestyle of the Inuit. Both the fiduciary obligations and the honour of the Crown require a minimum level of consultation and accommodation where significant Aboriginal interests are threatened. This could translate into an obligation to, at least, assist the Inuit in adapting to the changing arctic environment and preserving cultural practices to the extent possible.Les changements climatiques rapides dans l’Arctique menacent la vie, la santé et les traditions culturelles des Inuits. Même s’ils sont parmi les peuples les moins responsables de ces changements climatiques, ils souffrent de façon disproportionnée des effets négatifs de ces changements. Tout particulièrement, comme la culture inuite est intrinsèquement liée à la terre, les pratiques traditionnelles inuites sont menacées en même temps que l’environnement arctique. Par ailleurs, les efforts des Inuits pour obtenir réparation de la part des responsables des émissions de gaz à effet de serre sont restés vains. Les demandes fondées sur la nuisance en common law se sont heurtées aux questions relatives à la qualité pour agir, à la justiciabilité et à la causalité; de plus, en droit international, il est difficile de prouver et de faire valoir des réclamations. Il semble clair qu’une approche différente s’impose.Le présent article examine si l’obligation fiduciale de l’État envers les peuples autochtones du Canada pourrait constituer un cadre juridique utile pour traiter des changements climatiques dans l’Arctique. Bien que cette obligation soit systématiquement reconnue dans les situations concernant des terres autochtones ou des pratiques culturelles distinctives, il est permis de penser qu’elle pourrait être invoquée pour protéger le mode de subsistance traditionnelle des Inuits. Tant les obligations fiduciales que l’honneur de la Couronne requièrent un degré minimal de consultation et d’accommodement lorsque des intérêts autochtones significatifs sont menacés. Cela pourrait se traduire par une obligation minimale d’aider les Inuits à s’adapter à l’environnement arctique changeant et à préserver leurs pratiques culturelles dans la mesure du possible.

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