1. Dr. Angela Williams University of Sussex, U.K.
Achieving Justice within the international legal system: prospects for climate refugees

2. Identifying climate change displacement
Estimated 50 to 200 million displaced by 2080 owing to climate change
2008:
10 million refugees (33 million ‘of concern’)
25 million IDPs (UNHCR cares for 13 million)

3. Effects of climate change
Injustice and Inequity: those most vulnerable suffer the greatest, yet contribute the least
Focus on idea of justice in relation to climate change displacement
E.g. Kiribati and Mali

4. kiribati 33 island atolls between Australia and Hawaii
Population c.100,000
Possibly uninhabitable within 50 years
“We may be beyond redemption ... we may be at the point of no return, where the emissions in the atmosphere will carry on contributing to climate change, to produce a sea level change so in time our small, low-lying islands will be submerged.”
President Anote Tong (June 2008)

5. mali Majority of population located in rural areas
Two-thirds country located in Sahara Desert
Displacement hampering development aid (e.g. dam construction)
Displacement paths developing Mali  Mauritania  Europe (Spain)

6. Justice and climate change
Justice based on social and moral values and thus, very subjective
Distinguish:
Remedial or Corrective Justice
Distributive or Social Justice

7. Remedial justice Kivalina v. ExxonMobil et al
February 2008: case lodged for damages relating to (i) contribution to global warming and (ii) conspiracy to suppress knowledge about effect of GHG emissions
June 2008: defendants sought to have claim dismissed
December 2008: hearing scheduled

8. Distributive justice Intergenerational Equity and Future Generations
Intra-generational equity
Principles promote distributive justice
Common but differentiated responsibilities
New / additional financial resources
Technology transfer

9. Justice for climate change refugees
Multi-level approach:
Legal framework incorporates fair distribution of benefits and burdens
Remedial justice mechanisms available where systems / infrastructure (above) ineffective