Europe (2019)

Abstract

Global warming is a concern shared by all nations. It is estimated that 200 million people will be displaced globally by 2050 because of climate change.1 It is not surprising then that environmentally induced migration has become a topical issue at a policy level. This said, a clear legal framework recognising the rights of displaced people is still lacking at an international level, and, with the exception of the Kampala Convention for the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons in Africa,2 all major initiatives have led so far to the elaboration of non-binding instruments.3 In the wake of this trend, in October 2019, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a non-binding resolution on ‘A legal status for “climate refugees”’.4 Following its Resolution 1655 (2009) and Recommendation 1862 (2009) ‘Environmentally induced migration and displacement: a 21st-century challenge’, the PACE has called the Member States of the Organization to adopt a more proactive approach to the protection of the victims of natural and man-made disasters, improving disasters preparedness