The United Nations Refugee Agency has highlighted the recent UN ruling about Kiribati man Ioane Teitiota's climate change plight.
A seawall protecting a home from coastal erosion in Kiribati Photo: UNDP / Sheryl Ho
Mr Teitiota, whose home is threatened by rising sea levels, was rejected in his bid for asylum in New Zealand.
Last month, he lost his appeal over his deportation at the UN Human Rights Committee.
But the committee ruled it unlawful to send people back to countries where climate change exposes people to life-threatening risks or mistreatment.
The agency's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Gillian Triggs, said climate change was a major driver of displacement around the world.
"The UN Human Rights Committee's decision in the Teitiota case of the 7th of January this year has recognised that the effects of climate change have the potential to threaten human rights including the right to life.
"UNHCR will continue to work closely with all our partners to advance thinking on this urgent global challenge."
Speaking at the 43rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, Ms Triggs said that along with climate change impacts, the UN High Commissoner for Refugees identified natural disasters as a key global displacement challenge.
