A lack of legal frameworks for internally displaced persons impacted by climate change and natural disasters: Analysis of regulatory challenges in Bangladesh, India and the Pacific Islands

Abstract

The issue of internal displacement of persons (IDPs) due to climate change (CC) and natural disasters (ND) is an area of global concern. With the increasing impacts of CC and ND (henceforth written as CC-ND), forced displacement and relocation are the only cogent solutions, but at huge physical, economic, and psychological costs, causing imbalances in well-being. However, despite the recognition and efforts directed towards addressing climate change and tackling its impacts, the pathways to safe relocation and, possibly, avoiding displacement are still restricted by barriers for a majority of vulnerable populations who are directly exposed to and affected by the harsh impacts of CC, ND, and displacement. This study uses a comparative case study approach to critically examine the patterns of internal displacement due to the compounding impacts of CC-ND in Bangladesh, India and the Pacific Islands, and also examines the impact on the well-being of IDPs. Furthermore, the study also attempts to critically examine the legal frameworks of each of these case studies to identify their relevance and note any gaps in addressing the issue of CC-ND induced internal displacement. Finally, it attempts to make policy recommendations to better respond to this issue.