2008 年3 月,「聯合國人權理事會(United Nations Human Rights Council)」通過7/23號決議,要求政間國際組織對氣候變遷與人權的關係進行更深入的分析研究。就區域研究部分而言,位於太平洋上的吐瓦魯(Tuvalu)與吉里巴斯(Kiribati)首當其衝,特別是吐瓦魯,可能成為世界上第一個被海水淹沒而消失的國家。這些面臨海水淹沒危機而消失的國家,大多將移民問題,特別是被迫顛沛流離失所的人,放在人權保障的方法上來討論。太平洋島國面臨到海平面上升將可能造成大量移民,荒漠化也同樣地造成移民的效果,但其所衍生的問題是,針對因氣候變遷造成的環境移民,島民的身分與法律地位,以及其該享有之權利應如何訂定與保障?成為本文主要探討之議題。
In March, 2008, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has passed 7/23 resolution to ask IGO to research the relationship between climate change and human rights. In the Pacific Ocean, the small islands countries, such as Tuvalu and Kiribati, are facing the challenges from sea level rising. Tuvalu may lose his land, territory and disappear in the future. Most of environmental displaced persons in those countries are not political refugees and can't be applicable for Convention relating to the Status of Refugees in 1951. Many countries see those problems of environmental displaced persons are related to immigrants. Due to climate change, the living environment in the Pacific Islands Countries will be destroyed or affected in the future. This paper will find some issues about the legal status of environment immigrants and how to protect their rights and obligations in the domestic and international law.