Human mobility in the face of climate change

the urgency of creating a legal institute for climate-environmentally displaced people

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8966/2025/90249

Forced displacement due to climate disasters is analyzed, focusing on the humanitarian crisis generated by extreme phenomena, with the central question being: how does international and national law address forced displacement caused by climate disasters, given the increase in extreme phenomena and forced migration, and to what extent are current protection measures adequate to meet the needs of these migrants? Furthermore, can these displaced people be treated as refugees, as is commonly the case, or is there a need for separate legal treatment? The research was divided into two stages: the first explores the ongoing crises, with a focus on the increase in climatic extremes and the resulting displacements; and the second, the challenges to the conceptualization and protection of displaced people. A systemic-complex theory, hypothetical-deductive and quantitative approach, descriptive and exploratory procedure and bibliographic and data analysis techniques were adopted. The conclusion is that the laws are insufficient and the refugee institute cannot be applied in an analogous way.