PROBLEMATYKA MIGRANTÓW KLIMATYCZNYCH
THE ISSUE OF CLIMATE MIGRANTS

Summary/Abstract: The paper concerns the issue of climate migrants, the causes of this phenomenon, and postulates in this respect. It should be indicated that currently there are no binding legislative acts that would regulate the legal status of a climate migrant. The definition of the term ‘refugee’ in the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951 covers only those who are forced to change their place of residence for fear of persecution. However, the term ‘environmental refugee’, or ‘climate refugee’, has been used in the literature and in international legal documents, e.g. in the report for the United Nations Development Programme of 1985. Due to climate change and other environmental factors, the problem of environmental migrants has become a reality. Small island states, such as Tuvalu, the Maldives, and Kiribati, are among the most vulnerable to climate change, including rising sea levels and risk of flooding. Therefore, appropriate legal measures should be taken to fill the legislative gap and to provide appropriate legal protection to persons who seek asylum in other states due to climate threats.

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