Disasters and other impacts of climate change are already displacing millions of people each year, and with each displacement comes the increased risk of loss of nationality and statelessness. Those already stateless face even greater marginalisation and harm. Despite this, the protection of nationality rights and the prevention of statelessness remain overlooked at the international, regional and national levels.
PMCS is working to change this. We are examining the nexus between climate change, loss of nationality and statelessness, and contributing to global, regional and policy developments in this area. We are doing this through groundbreaking research and other activities, for example:
- examining the future of nationality in the context of climate change
- submitting parliamentary evidence
- creating practical resources
- facilitating exchange of ideas and collaboration through our networks.
Our goal is to ensure that no one loses their fundamental right to a nationality and to belong somewhere.
Read this factsheet for a quick introduction to the main issues
Draft Global Recommendations on Nationality and Statelessness in the Context of Climate Change
In partnership with UNHCR, the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness is developing the first Global Recommendations on Nationality and Statelessness in the Context of Climate Change. We are very grateful for the support of the Robert Bosch Foundation and UNHCR, which has enabled us to carry out this project and bring together eminent international experts in Sanremo, Italy in July 2025 for an in-person meeting to inform the drafting of these recommendations.
Read more:
-
The Future of Nationality in the Pacific
If the impacts of climate change drive people from their homes, what happens to their relationship with their home country? This groundbreaking report provides the first in-depth look at the legal risks of statelessness and nationality loss in the Pacific as climate change hits:
Foster, M., Hard, N., Lambert,H., and McAdam, J. (2022). The Future of Nationality in the Pacific: Preventing Statelessness and Nationality Loss in the context of Climate Change, PMCS (UoM), Kaldor Centre (UNSW), UTS (Joint report)
-
Climate change and 'imminence'
This article examines the misplaced notion of “imminence” in the context of protection from the future impact of disasters and climate change, and the protection of children from anticipated climate-related harm:
Foster M., McAdam J. & Lambert H (2024). ‘The Time Trap in International Protection’, Georgetown Journal of International Law 56(1), 273-328.
-
Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty
In 2024, Australia and Tuvalu signed a Treaty ‘to work together in the face of the existential threat posed by climate change’. Australia will arrange for a 'special human mobility pathway" to allow Tuvaluans to move to Australia to live, study and work.
-
Meetings and events
The Statelessness Asia Pacific Research Network met in March 2025 to discuss climate change and statelessness. Hosted by PMCS Deputy Director A/Prof Radha Govil, topics included 'Nationality Challenges During Climate Change-Related Displacement' (Aashish Yadav); 'Legal, Paralegal and Other Community-Based Support for Marginalised Citizenship Affected Families in Assam' (Iftikar Hussain Siddique, with Angshuman Choudhury translating); 'Forced to Flee in a Changing Climate: Climate and Disaster-Related Displacement in Asia Pacific' (Helen Brunt)