International Law and the Protection of “Climate Refugees‪”‬

This book studies the topic of forced climate migrants (so-called “climate refugees”) through the lens of international law. With an analysis focused on climate change and human rights international law, it points out the legal rationale upon which an international obligation to protect persons forced to migrate due to climate change is currently emerging under international law. The book advocates for a state obligation to protect forced climate migrants when their origin countries become environmentally fragile because of climate change up to the point of becoming unable to guarantee the exercise of inalienable human rights in their territories. Turning to the future, the book also investigates the current elements on which a “forced climate migrants law” can be built.



Giovanni Sciaccaluga is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the field of International Law at the University of Genoa, Italy.