One person is displaced every second every year due to climate hazards and the figure is set to double by 2050. The lack of a legal definition to describe people who are forced to move for environmental reasons is of particular concern, as it leaves them in legal limbo and this needs to be addressed urgently. Since 2008 over 318 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced by floods, windstorms, earthquakes or droughts, 30.7 million in 2020 alone. This is equivalent to one person being displaced every second. Many find refuge within their own country, but some are forced to go abroad. In the summer of 2021, Europe witnessed heavy and unprecedented flooding, particularly in Belgium and Germany, and heat domes in the Mediterranean region. Scientists relate this directly to climate change. All things considered, the number of 'climate refugees' looks set to rise.

DG EPRS

fight against climate change (T)

EPRS publication (T)

EPRS - Climate refugees

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/9112261/EP124156Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt