The relationship between climate change and migration is complex. Climate change impacts could force people to move, but also trap people in dangerous places. Floods, droughts and rising seas could force people flee across borders, but people are most likely to move within their own country when they can. Some people will have no choice about how or when they move. But when disasters unfold more slowly some people may decide to migrate and find alternative work. Some people may decide to move as a way of adapting to climate change impacts – with or without the help of their government.

The rights of people who are forced to move by climate change are unclear. Many people should be protected by existing laws governing human rights. However these are not always adhered to. Other people fall outside the protection of existing laws, and find themselves in a legal limbo.