Thuraisingham, Vara, Moore, Liam, and Neef, Andreas (2024) State-Led and Voluntary Climate-Related Relocations in Fiji: Policy, Practice and Protection Gaps. In: Neef, Andreas, Pauli, Natasha, and Salami, Bukola, (eds.) De Gruyter Handbook of Climate Migration and Climate Mobility Justice. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, Germany, pp. 407-426.

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Abstract

As more attention globally is directed towards how climate-related mobilities should be managed, it is increasingly important to look at early adopters of policy and practice and learn from these experiences. Fiji is a unique case study in this space. Not only has the Fijian Government relocated several communities, but it has also developed world-leading policies on planned relocations and climate-related displacement. However, the principles these policies strive to uphold have not always carried through to the lived experience of the people materially affected by climate-related hazards. In particular, we identify a key conceptual and practical protection gap for those who choose to move before state-led relocation processes commence. When mobility occurs due to slow-onset or recurrent climate processes, the line between forced and voluntary displacement blurs further, and it is unclear which protections apply, to what degree states are obliged to assist, and exactly when this assistance should be provided. Fijian authorities have attempted to manage this uncertainty through the development of policies like their Planned Relocation Guidelines and Displacement Guidelines. However, the experiences of communities in Fiji show that these policies are not always translated into practice. As other states look to policies like Fiji’s for guidance on issues of climate mobilities, it is increasingly important that such discrepancies are identified and adequately addressed.

Item ID:	83743
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-3-11-075214-4
Copyright Information:	© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Date Deposited:	22 Oct 2024 00:55
FoR Codes:	44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4408 Political science > 440807 Government and politics of Asia and the Pacific @ 60% 44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4408 Political science > 440808 International relations @ 40%
SEO Codes:	19 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATURAL HAZARDS > 1901 Adaptation to climate change > 190199 Adaptation to climate change not elsewhere classified @ 80% 23 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 2301 Community services > 230110 Migrant and refugee settlement services @ 20%
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