Research on the definition and protection of "Environmental Refugees" from the perspective of international refugee law

Global warming has led to a sustained rise in sea levels, severely affecting the living environment of some small island states. This has inevitably led to a particular group called "Environmental Refugees." However, the definition and attribution of this group remain void, leading to a deficiency of its protection under international law. This paper, therefore, uses case and comparative analysis methods to explore the definition and potential protection for "Environmental Refugees" from the perspective of international refugee law. The "Environmental Refugees" concept, with its objective origin, emphasizes the need for international cooperation in providing protection, which is more in line with the core characteristics of this group. Regarding international legal protection, the "Environmental Refugees" concept should be progressively extended to the scope of traditional refugees, clarifying the fundamental principles for determining and hosting this particular group and advocating the "common but differentiated responsibilities" for every host country. Furthermore, international society should promote establishing and improving relief and litigation channels for "Environmental Refugees" within the framework of international refugee law, highlighting the importance of collective action in addressing this issue.