Safeguarding Dignity: Climate Refugees and the Imperative for G20 Solidarity

By : Rajshree, Pallavi Bajpai

Page No: 104-125

Abstract
Earth’s climate is undergoing significant changes, affecting every corner of the globe. Some nations face more challenges due to a confluence of geographical and demographic factors. In the wake of the climate-induced disaster, people are compelled to abandon their homeland and are deprived of their basic rights. Notably, the International Court of Justice Advisory opinion on obligation of states in respect to climate change (2025) has provided an authoritative clarification of states duties under International law. This advisory opinion strengthens earlier precedents such as Teitiota v. New Zealand, which underscored that climate change could endanger lives or expose individuals to inhuman or degrading treatment, thereby activating states’ non-refoulement obligations. While this decision is not legally binding, it exerts moral pressure on nations to address the urgent need for protecting climate refugees. This paper unfolds in four distinct sections: the first part establishes the conceptual framework surrounding climate refugees, exploring the nuanced dimension of their displacement and the imperative need for protection measures; the second part focuses on the impact of climate change on G20 nations and emphasising the importance of their collaboration to address shared climate refugees challenge. Proceeding further, the paper scrutinises the legal challenges in G20 nations in framing laws and policy for climate refugees, and the final section will encapsulate the conclusion and suggestions.

Authors
Rajshree: Ph. D. (Scholar) School of Law, Bennett University (The Times Group), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Pallavi Bajpai: Associate Professor, Bennett University (The Times Group), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.