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India's Climate Migration Crisis
India faces a growing climate migration crisis, with millions displaced due to extreme weather. The government's lack of a comprehensive strategy and the failure of proposed legislation highlight the urgent need for policy action.
German
Germany
Human Rights ViolationsClimate ChangePolicyIndiaMigrationRefugees And MigrationDisplacement
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (Idmc)World Resources Institute IndiaClimate Action Network South AsiaMahatma-Gandhi-UniversityUnited Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change (Unfccc)
Mathew A. VargheseSaransh BajpaiPradyut Bordoloi
- What is the current situation of climate-induced displacement in India?
- India is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with millions displaced annually due to extreme weather. The government lacks a comprehensive strategy to address this climate-induced internal displacement, despite the severity of the problem and the potential for exponential growth.
- What policy efforts have been made to address climate migration in India?
- The 2008 National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) lacks specific provisions for dealing with displacement, leaving a significant gap in addressing climate migration. A proposed 2022 bill to create a fund for climate migrants failed to pass.
- How many people have been displaced by climate change in India, and what are the future projections?
- Approximately 14 million Indians were displaced by extreme weather in 2020, and this number is projected to reach 45 million by 2050. The lack of government policy leaves climate migrants vulnerable and without adequate support.
- What role does India play in international climate negotiations, and how does it address this issue domestically?
- While India is an active participant in international climate negotiations and advocates for funding, it hasn't implemented domestic policies to directly address internal climate migration. Experts suggest pursuing innovative funding mechanisms through philanthropic organizations.
- What international frameworks acknowledge the issue of displacement due to climate change, and how does India engage with them?
- The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UNFCCC recognize displacement as a crucial aspect of climate change impacts, yet India has not implemented a robust policy despite its participation in international efforts. The failure of the Climate Migrants (Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill in 2022 highlights the need for more effective action.