Millions have been displaced due to climate change, and Asia is not adequately prepared for the impact.

• The rise in climate disasters is causing an increase in the number of people being displaced, particularly in Asia.
• In 2022, over 32.6 million people were displaced due to disasters, surpassing the 28.3 million displaced by conflict and violence.
• In 2022, Asia had the highest number of new internal displacements due to disasters, with four of the top five countries being in the region.

The escalating number of climate disasters is driving an increasing number of people to leave their homes, particularly in Asia.

In 2022, there were 32.6 million internal displacements due to disasters, which is 41% higher than the average of the past decade. This is significantly more than the 28.3 million people displaced by conflict and violence in the same year.

The IDMC reported that the top five countries with the highest number of new internal displacements due to disasters in 2022 were in Asia. Pakistan had the highest number at 8.2 million, followed by the Philippines at 5.5 million and China at 3.6 million.

The situation is set to get worse.

By 2050, approximately 216 million individuals from six regions may be displaced due to climate change, according to a 2021 World Bank report.

ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute's visiting senior fellow, Vinod Thomas, pointed out that these estimates might not accurately reflect the truth.

Thomas stated that projections often underestimate the severity of situations and all projections indicate a rapid increase in one direction.

South Asia most at risk

The three countries most likely to be affected by climate change displacement in South Asia are Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, according to him.

The World Economic Forum reports that South Asia's GDP faces a climate disaster risk of 10% to 18%, which is three times higher than North America's risk and ten times greater than Europe's.

Thomas stated that the economic consequences of climate change-induced internal displacement are severe for the host country.

The bushfires in Australia from 2019 to 2020 resulted in a loss of economic production of $510 per person for each day of work missed, according to the IDMC. Additionally, there were 65,000 new displacements caused by the bushfires.

The estimated cost for covering the housing needs of those unable to return to their homes for a year was between $44 million and $52 million, according to the IDMC.

Those affected by climate-induced displacement may choose to relocate permanently to another country.

Thomas stated that what we have observed regarding external movement is only a small part of what is likely to occur, and we are not ready for it.

Migration pathways

As climate change intensifies, people may eventually start moving across borders due to internal displacement, according to Tamara Wood, senior research fellow at the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law.

In November, Australia reached an agreement with Tuvalu to provide 280 of its citizens with permanent residency in Australia annually.

In Southeast Asia, Pia Oberoi, UNHCR senior advisor on migration and human rights, stated that many people are already relocating due to climate change and environmental degradation, according to CNBC.

She said that sometimes movements can be disguised as traditional migration flows, such as labor migration.

There is limited information on the reasons behind the migration of Bangladeshi migrant workers to Southeast Asia, despite their willingness to incur significant debts to work overseas.

As climate change may have affected their crop production, some people have nothing to return to, while others may be forced to move back to slum areas in cities if they return to their home country, Oberoi explained.

To safeguard people's human rights, governments must reassess their migration channels in light of climate change, which may force individuals to relocate, said she.

Even though the right to family life is crucial, it is challenging for individuals to reunite with their loved ones through these migration paths.

To help those leaving their countries due to climate change, sustainable solutions should include more than just a visa, but also support such as recognizing their qualifications, aiding their cultural integration, and facilitating the movement of money back home, as Wood noted.

To provide a protective response to those affected by climate change, countries should first conduct better research on their situation and vulnerability, and then use the findings to build pathways, said Oberoi. She suggested that countries examine their legal systems to determine how they can assist people impacted by climate change.

Improving measures for refugees doesn't necessarily mean creating new categories of protection or definitions, according to Oberoi. Instead, existing pathways can be adapted to better meet the needs of those moving.

Wood stated that implementing these measures can assist individuals in making a preemptive decision to relocate in a controlled and well-planned manner. This approach allows them to gradually adjust rather than being compelled to do so when they reach a crisis point, she emphasized.

What more needs to be done

Thomas stated that countries must prioritize three actions to address climate displacement: relief and rehabilitation, adapting to climate change, and reducing carbon emissions through decarbonization of economies.

Asian countries are not adequately equipped to handle the relief and rehabilitation of refugees, and have underperformed in establishing social and financial safety nets.

Thomas suggested that a facility that can access resources across countries and provide them on demand could be a useful consideration for the future.

He stated that the issue often arises when the problem occurs and financing is not readily available, causing the facility to earn interest instead of being opened up as needed.

Thomas stated that when it comes to adaptation, the funds allocated for measures such as coastal defenses must be considered as part of the investment budget, not an optional budget.

Thomas emphasized the importance of increasing adaptation capacity continuously. He stated that being able to endure and enhance is crucial for progress in addressing climate migration.

Wood proposed that countries in the Global North or those with higher contributions to climate change should increase their efforts. She suggested this could be achieved through offering migration routes, job opportunities, and financial assistance to help other countries cope with the issue.

The OECD announced last month that developed countries may have fulfilled their 2009 promise to allocate $100 billion annually by 2020 to aid poorer nations affected by climate change-induced disasters.

Thomas emphasized that while the fund is a good start, it's only a small part of the solution. He stressed the need for a shift in public opinion and for politicians to act quickly to address the issue.

While we are engaged in conversation and debate, the unheard victims of climate change are the millions of climate migrants, who are overlooked, voiceless, and without an identity.