Despite the worsening climate displacement crisis, as of late-2023 only 19 cases relating to climate displacement have thus far been brought to the attention of courtrooms around the world. This new DS report outlines the nature of each of the 19 cases and articulates the immense judicial ground that still needs to be covered to fully protect the rights of climate displaced persons and communities.
LESS THAN 1% OF ALL CLIMATE CHANGE COURT CASES DEAL IN ANY WAY WITH CLIMATE DISPLACEMENT
THE PENINSULA PRINCIPLES
AT 10 – OFFERING SOLUTIONS FOR A DECADE
Since their approval on 18 August 2013, the Peninsula Principles on Climate Displacement Within States have had a major impact across many sectors involved in climate displacement matters. Translated into fifteen languages and distributed widely, the Principles have been repeatedly referred to at the UN and other organs of the international community as a leading normative source of guidance for governments and civil society seeking to prevent and address climate displacement.
Now, some ten years after their emergence, the Peninsula Principles remain more needed than ever as climate threats worsen with each passing year.
Estimates of how many people will face climate displacement made in 2013 now seem wishful thinking, with current projections routinely topping more than one billion people who will need to move as the effects of climate change further take root.
In 2023, Displacement Solutions and our partners and associates around the world are commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Principles. We are again urging governments, the UN and civil society at all levels to re-visit the Principles and apply with the vigour they require to protect everyone against displacement caused by climate change.
The Peninsula Principles comprise 18 fundamental principles, formulated into three categories – pre-displacement, mid-displacement and post-displacement – all grounded in pre-existing international human rights laws. They are designed to assist governments to better protect the housing, land and property rights of people and communities affected by climate displacement and to empower these same people and communities to formulate their demands for climate justice in ways fully consistent with their rights under human rights law and the obligations incumbent on governments to respect, protect and fulfil them.
CLIMATE DISPLACEMENT WEBINARS
INNOVATIVE THINKING ON CLIMATE DISPLACEMENT – THINKERS FROM ALL THE WORLD'S REGIONS