The Obama administration has made countless efforts to update institutions that can address the climate. Several executive orders of President Obama, in particular Executive Order 13677, which required the integration of climate change resilience into development aid decision-making, have recorded the climate crisis. For the first time in the history of the Ministry of Defence The 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) recognized climate change as a “threat multiplier,” 25 In 2018, during the implementation of the DPD`s work plan, UNHCR commissioned a mapping of existing international and regional guidelines and instruments to prevent , to minimize, to cope and facilitate sustainable predatory solutions related to the negative effects of climate change and has contributed to the development of recommendations for integrated approaches to combating climate change. Avoid, minimize and combat population displacement linked to the adverse effects of climate change, presented at COP24 and adopted by the parties. UNHCR remains committed to continuing to provide technical assistance to the parties in the implementation of the Paris Agreement and to actively participating in the TDR as part of its renewed mandate. Before considering a solution, it is interesting to note that migrants are in a state of legal suspension under current refugee law. For traditional conflict refugees, the 1951 Convention provides protected legal status. But, as it is currently written, Article I of the 1951 Convention refers only to persons fleeing persecution by their own government on the basis of “race, religion, nationality or belonging to a certain social group or political opinion.” In normal cases, people fleeing climate change will not fit this definition. Many observers were disappointed that the Paris agreement was not subject to climate migration, but preliminary negotiations to Paris were the cornerstone of a dynamic coordination facility, placed within the unFCCC system, to protect migrants from climate change. The creation of a single fund (through the Initiative and Maintenance, Research and Development Funds and the Refugee Fund) would also allow the United States to streamline and refine its support strategies, address the effects of climate change head-on and restore its reputation abroad. Such a special fund should strive to emulate the Department for International Development (DFID), the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Japan Agency for International Cooperation (JICA) and establish a partnership.

U.S. funding in this area could lead to significant investments by allies and partners – and in collaboration with the development agencies of these countries, massive resources can be mobilized to the extent necessary to deal with the global climate crisis. Some have argued that the best possible solution would be to extend the scope of the 1951 Convention. But these views are wrong. First, those working with the refugee community are concerned that a broadening of the definition will devalue the already fragile status of refugees. In addition, the 1951 Convention applies only to people who travel from one country to another; Climate-related migration will most often be internal, at least early, so that inclusion in the 1951 Convention would face persistent opposition and lead to only a small practical victory. U.S. development agencies and international development finance institutions need to redirect development assistance to address the climate crisis that is looming today.