MITIGATING CLIMATE-INDUCED DISPLACEMENT IN THE ASEAN REGION

AUTHOR – ARCHIT MAHAJAN, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF LAW, CHRIST (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY)

BEST CITATION – ARCHIT MAHAJAN, MITIGATING CLIMATE-INDUCED DISPLACEMENT IN THE ASEAN REGION, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (3) OF 2026, PG. 54-68, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

 The ASEAN region is facing a growing problem of people being forced to leave their homes due to climate change. Rising sea levels, natural disasters, and environmental damage are all contributing to this issue. There are already plans in place, such as the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response, that help people right after a disaster. However, these plans don’t do enough to protect people who have been displaced in the long run. Also, international laws about refugees don’t cover people who are forced to leave their homes because of climate change, which means these people are not getting the help they need. This is a major problem because it leaves affected communities without clear legal protection. This research examines how India’s Act East Policy can be leveraged to address these gaps by fostering regional cooperation, advancing human security, and promoting climate resilience. Using a qualitative, analytical approach that draws on case studies, policy analysis, and judicial precedents, the study evaluates ASEAN’s limitations and explores India’s potential role in shaping solutions. It proposes actionable measures, including binding agreements, livelihood programs, and capacity-building initiatives, concluding that aligning the Act East Policy with climate justice imperatives can strengthen regional resilience and safeguard human security.

Keywords – Climate-Induced Displacement; ASEAN; Human Security; Regional Resilience; Act East Policy; Climate Justice; International Refugee Law; AADMER; Climate Migrants; India–ASEAN Cooperation.