Sea-level rise and human mobility: The legal implications for Ireland’s foreign and domestic policies
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Published Version
Date
2024
Authors
Cubie, Dug
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Royal Irish Academy
Published Version
Abstract
In October 2023, the Irish government’s Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy concluded it was inevitable that, as a result of rising sea levels, a managed retreat may in time be required along some parts of the Irish coastline. This stark warning highlights Ireland’s vulnerability as an island nation to global climate change and sea-level rise. While adaptive measures can be made to protect coastal communities, there is a need to undertake comprehensive planning to prepare for the foreseeable impacts of climate change. Ireland is not alone in facing such risks—over a third of states in the world are directly affected by sea-level rise. Such scenarios raise complicated legal questions, which prompted the UN International Law Commission (ILC) to commence analysis in 2018 of the legal implications of sea-level rise. This article starts by examining recent developments concerning the legal implications of climate change in general, before specifically analysing the ongoing work of the ILC on sea-level rise and human mobility. Drawing on international legal and policy frameworks, the article then considers Ireland’s obligations arising from sea-level rise and population displacement. In particular, it addresses a) Ireland’s foreign policy, including international development assistance and legal migration routes for persons fleeing the impacts of sea-level rise; and b) domestic policies relating to climate change adaptation and planning for internal climate displacement.
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Keywords
Rising sea levels , Irish coastline , Global climate change , Legal implications of sea-level rise , Human mobility , Climate displacement
Citation
Cubie, D. (2024) 'Sea-level rise and human mobility: The legal implications for Ireland’s foreign and domestic policies', Irish Studies in International Affairs, 35(1), pp. 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1353/isia.0.a939553