Dear Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon,

In 2012, 31.7 million people – or one person every second - were displaced by a climate or weather-related natural disaster. This figure outstrips the number of refugees fleeing war or persecution. As our global climate changes, more extreme weather events are taking hold: more floods, droughts and sudden-onset events such as cyclones that claim lives and livelihoods. 99 per cent of all deaths from climate and weather-related disasters occur in Less Developed Countries. Yet the world’s 50 least-developed countries together emit less than 1% of total carbon emissions. Those who have contributed least to climate change are those feeling its effects first and worst.

Climate refugees are not legally recognised and lack official support under existing international laws. We need to change this and ensure that we viewclimatea changethrough a human rights perspective.

We support a call for the UN to appoint a Special Rapporteur on Climate and Human Rights whocanhighlight the need for global action that will guarantee climate refugees basic human rights, international assistance and a fair claim to our shared world.