India is already seeing millions displaced by floods, droughts, cyclones, and desertification. Yet, these climate refugees remain legally unrecognised and politically ignored. It’s time the nation confronts this growing humanitarian crisis
As the global community marks World Refugee Day on June 20, it is appropriate to contemplate the challenges endured by millions forced to leave their homes due to conflict, violence, or persecution. Nevertheless, there exists another urgent crisis that often remains unnoticed — the increasing number of people displaced not by war, but by the harsh realities of climate change. These individuals, known as climate refugees, remain outside the purview of international refugee law; however, their numbers are escalating at an alarming rate. For a nation like India, which is acutely vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, acknowledging and addressing this issue is both a moral obligation and a crucial aspect of policy formulation.
Climate refugees are those compelled to migrate due to environmental changes, such as rising sea levels, severe flooding, prolonged droughts, cyclones, and desertification. However, within the current international legal framework, particularly the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, these individuals are not officially recognised as refugees. The Convention primarily addresses those fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, or membership in a particular social group. Consequently, those displaced by climate events find themselves in a legally uncertain position. Since the majority of them migrate
internally rather than crossing international borders, they do not qualify for traditional refugee protection, complicating efforts to support them.
Globally, the extent of displacement caused by climate change is already staggering. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, approximately 14 million people in India were displaced due to extreme weather events in 2020 alone. Between 2015 and 2024, over 32 million individuals in India were compelled to move due to disasters, making the country one of the top three nations most affected by climate-induced displacement, alongside China and the Philippines. The World Bank estimates that by 2050, up to 143 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America could become internal climate migrants, with India projected to represent a significant portion of this figure due to its large and climate-sensitive population.
A notable case that gained global attention involved Ioane Teitiota from Kiribati, a Pacific island nation facing the threat of rising sea levels. Teitiota sought asylum in New Zealand, claiming that environmental degradation endangered his life. Although his initial application was denied, the UN Human Rights Committee subsequently ruled that Governments should refrain from returning individuals to nations where climate change poses a risk to their right to life. While this ruling lacks legal enforceability, it has set an important precedent and underscored the urgent need for a broader interpretation of refugee protections relating to climate change.
India’s vulnerability to climate change is intricately linked to its geography, socio-economic conditions, and reliance on industries vulnerable to climate impacts, such as agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. Areas like Odisha and West Bengal are addressing the threats posed by rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion, complicating agricultural and fishing activities. In the Himalayan region and Northeast, unpredictable rainfall, glacial melting, and frequent flash floods are compelling people to leave their residences in search of safer livelihoods.
Ongoing droughts in Maharashtra and Gujarat are driving rural families toward urban areas, where they often end up in overcrowded slums lacking access to essential services. Annual floods in Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Assam displace thousands and cause significant damage to homes and infrastructure. Likewise, in coastal regions like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, displacements resulting from cyclones are becoming increasingly common. In Rajasthan and certain regions of Madhya Pradesh, advancing desertification is rendering extensive areas increasingly uninhabitable.
Despite these realities, India does not yet have a specific legal or policy framework to tackle displacement triggered by climate change. Although the 2008 National Action Plan on Climate Change presents strategies for sustainable development, it does not directly address the issue of human mobility. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) includes displacement as part of its disaster response strategies; however, there is a deficiency in actionable plans, financial support, and sustainable rehabilitation methods. In 2022, a private member’s bill — the Climate Migrants (Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill was introduced in Parliament. This bill sought to create a framework for the identification, protection, and rehabilitation of those impacted by climate change, but unfortunately failed to gain traction and lapsed without further debate.
The lack of legislative progress highlights the minimal political focus on this critical issue. India needs to act promptly and with determination. Primarily, it is crucial to establish a comprehensive national policy framework that specifically addresses migration caused by climate factors. A well-defined policy would clarify responsibilities, identify populations at risk, and lay the groundwork for institutional support and resettlement. In the absence of legal recognition, climate migrants remain unacknowledged, making them susceptible to exploitation, discrimination, and neglect. Moreover, enhancing local and regional adaptation efforts is vital to mitigate forced migration. Focused investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable job opportunities, and early warning systems are essential for at-risk communities. By strengthening local resilience, the necessity for migration can be reduced while ensuring that urban and peri-urban areas accommodating climate migrants are adequately equipped with housing, sanitation, healthcare, and strategies for disaster risk reduction.
Lastly, India ought to establish a dedicated fund for climate refugees and displaced individuals. Unlike traditional disaster relief funds that focus on immediate responses, this fund should promote long-term rehabilitation, skill development, social integration, and infrastructure improvements in resettlement areas. Collaborations between the public and private sectors, international technical support, and contributions from global climate funds could greatly assist in realising this initiative. The global community has started to acknowledge the urgent threat posed by climate-driven migration; however, the responses undertaken remain fragmented and insufficient.
Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have consistently emphasised South Asia as one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change. The repercussions for India will encompass not just environmental concerns, but also economic, social, and political challenges, as climate-induced displacement could strain urban infrastructure, exacerbate inequality, and heighten tensions in already fragile areas.
World Refugee Day, with this year’s theme of “Solidarity with Refugees,” serves as an important reminder of our collective responsibility to help those who have been forced to leave their homes, communities, and sources of livelihood. Although the historical emphasis has been on individuals fleeing from conflict and persecution, it is crucial that we now expand our compassion and recognition to include those displaced by climate change. Climate refugees are not merely victims; they are resilient individuals facing the consequences of a crisis they did not create.
As the impacts of climate change intensify, India must take the initiative. It is essential to widen the national dialogue on displacement to specifically acknowledge climate refugees and ensure that our policies, legal frameworks, and institutions adapt to address this emerging humanitarian issue. By taking these steps, India can turn solidarity into meaningful action, demonstrating leadership in response to one of the most urgent global challenges of our time. Protecting the rights and dignity of individuals affected by climate change is not only a moral obligation but also a reflection of our shared humanity.
(The writer is former Former Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management. Views expressed are personal)