Refugees and Climate Crisis: UN Highlights Urgency at Baku Summit.

A new report by the United Nations has brought to light the worsening global refugee crisis, where climate change is emerging as a significant driver of displacement. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that over the past decade, the global population of displaced persons has nearly doubled, reaching 120 million. Out of these, 90 million live in countries highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards. This alarming data underscores the interwoven nature of climate change and forced migration, especially in regions already grappling with conflict.

This report, presented during the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, is part of a broader conversation about how climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. The Baku Summit has gathered representatives from nearly 200 countries to explore solutions for climate challenges. Although the world’s largest emitters, like the United States and China, are represented at lower levels, the summit has taken on heightened importance, especially as 2024 is on track to set new global temperature records. These discussions are an opportunity to raise awareness about the urgent need for increased climate finance, particularly for countries that are both most affected and least equipped to respond.

In the UNHCR report, the agency highlights that three-quarters of forcibly displaced individuals live in areas with high climate risks. Countries like Sudan, Myanmar, Somalia, and Syria represent intersections of conflict and climate vulnerability, with populations in these regions exposed to both violence and severe climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and cyclones. For instance, the report notes that about 700,000 people have fled conflict in Sudan and crossed into Chad a country that has hosted refugees for years but is itself facing increasing climate stress.

Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasized the difficult situation for those displaced by both climate and conflict. He noted, “For the world’s most vulnerable people, climate change is a harsh reality that profoundly affects their lives.” Grandi stressed that climate change is worsening the plight of these individuals, leaving them with few safe options as they are forced to move again and again.

The situation is similarly dire for refugees from Myanmar, the majority of whom have sought safety in Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh itself faces extreme weather events, including cyclones and floods, which further endanger both refugees and host communities.

The Baku Summit, taking place amid these challenges, has become a key forum for discussing solutions to climate change and displacement. A major theme of the summit is climate finance, particularly funding for developing countries that bear the brunt of climate impacts despite contributing the least to the crisis. Damilola Ogunbiyi, the UN’s special representative on sustainable energy, highlighted this discrepancy in an interview, pointing out that while investment in clean, renewable energy has surged, only 15 percent of it goes to the Global South.

This imbalance has led to calls for an increase in the existing $100 billion annual target for climate finance—a commitment made by developed countries to support climate action in less developed nations. The summit’s discussions have also addressed the need for more accessible funding mechanisms to ensure that climate finance reaches the communities most in need.

The urgency of climate finance has only increased in light of recent political developments, including the election of Donald Trump in the United States. Trump’s skepticism toward the Paris Agreement has raised concerns among summit attendees about potential setbacks in global climate commitments. The Baku Summit provides a critical opportunity for international leaders to reaffirm their commitment to tackling climate change and supporting vulnerable populations, despite political challenges.

The UNHCR report outlines how climate hazards exacerbate the already challenging circumstances faced by displaced people. In many cases, those forced to flee due to conflict find themselves in areas with high exposure to climate risks. This dual vulnerability leaves them in a perpetual state of insecurity, as they are often displaced multiple times due to new climate-related disasters.

Grace Dorong, a climate activist and former refugee from South Sudan, spoke about the direct impacts of climate change on displacement. She urged policymakers to pay attention to the voices of those affected, saying, “If they listen to us, we can be part of the solution, too.” Dorong’s comments reflect a growing recognition within the global community that displaced people have valuable insights and resilience that can inform climate adaptation strategies.

The UNHCR report also highlights the need for a legal definition of “climate refugees” to better protect those displaced by environmental factors. Currently, international refugee law does not cover climate-related displacement, leaving many without adequate protection or resources to rebuild their lives.

At COP29, nations are reviewing their progress on climate pledges under the Paris Agreement, particularly in light of reports indicating that current commitments fall far short of the goals for 2030. The urgency is amplified by forecasts that 2024 will be the first year to breach the 1.5°C warming limit established in the Paris Agreement.

In Baku, there is a renewed call for countries to not only meet their existing commitments but also to strengthen their targets. Developing nations, in particular, are advocating for greater responsibility from high-emission countries. They argue that while they are most affected by climate change, they have limited resources to address its impacts, especially in terms of adaptation and resilience-building.

The discussions in Baku also include considerations for protecting communities displaced by climate change. Advocates are pushing for international recognition of climate refugees and for mechanisms to support countries hosting large numbers of displaced people.

As world leaders convene in Baku, there is a shared recognition that time is running out to address the climate crisis. With record temperatures, increasing displacement, and mounting political challenges, the stakes have never been higher. The Baku Summit is a chance for countries to not only reaffirm their commitments but also to take bold steps toward a more sustainable and just future.

The UN’s report on climate displacement serves as a reminder that climate change is not just an environmental issue it is a human issue, with profound implications for millions of people around the world. The decisions made at COP29 could shape the future for displaced populations and for generations to come. As the world looks to Baku, there is hope that leaders will rise to the challenge and work together to build a safer, more resilient world.