Democracy & Justice Research Flagship - Projects

Climate Change and Forced Migration

Project Code:

There is broad agreement that the effects of climate change are being felt already and are likely to get worse. Changes to the earth's climate as a result of human activities are predicted to lead to the dislocation of hundreds of millions of people, including vast numbers in South Asia as well as those living in low-lying islands in the Pacific. Yet there is no consensus on what ought to be done to respond to those displaced by climate change-related factors. The existing refugee protection regime is not designed to deal with such displacement.

This project, which commenced in late 2007, will investigate the impact of climate change-induced displacement on those most at risk and explore Australia's response to this displacement.

The project will result in a number of outcomes, including a book on the topic in the The Swinburne Institute’s Briefings series due for publication in October 2008.

Research Team

Investigator: Dr David Corlett

Publications and Other Research Outputs

• Publications
• Media Coverage
• Audio Visual Material