New Zealand Rejects Kiribatian Man's Bid for Climate Change Refugee Status

The New Zealand High Court has denied the bid of a man from Kiribati to be recognised as a climate change refugee. Kiribatian man Ioane Teitiota said the rising sea levels in the Pacific island nation, has prompted him to remain in New Zealand even though his work visa had expired. He said there was no land in which he and his family can live on safely if they are forced to go back.

Kiribati is a low-lying island vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and despite the claims of the world's first climate change refugee, the judge ruled that problems with the environment are not included in the list of internationally recognised criteria for Mr Teitiota to be declared as a refugee.

New Zealand High Court Justice John Priestley said returning to his homeland Kiribati will not result in a sustained human rights violation such as the right to life, food and shelter.

Mr Teitiota had challenged the decision of the judge and argued that the 37-year-old "refugee" and his New Zealand-born children will suffer harm if he will go back to Kiribati due to the pressures of rising sea levels and overpopulation.

The man claiming to be a climate change refugee came to New Zealand in 2007. He now has children who were born in New Zealand. Mr Teitiota told the court that he can no longer go home to his own country since he believes there was no land to return to.

He said there will be no future for his family if he will be forced to go back. Michael Kidd, Mr Teitiota's legal representative said the case hits the outdated refugee laws.

Mr Kidd said the refugee laws should include people who are trying to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change. The refugee convention was enacted at the end of the Second World War. According to a climate change report, low-lying islands like Kiribati will be at risk to rising sea levels.

Kiribati is located halfway between Australia and Ecuador. It has bought land in Fiji for the construction of a possible resettlement of its people displaced by rising sea levels. The land will also be used for growing food as the country views its resettlement plans as "migration with dignity."