Migration as Adaptation? The Falepili Union Between Australia and Tuvalu

Abstract

Australia and Tuvalu recently signed a unique treaty called the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty, on climate change adaptation, migration, and security. Here we analyze the treaty's migration provision which will enable citizens of Tuvalu to live and work in Australia. We ground our analysis in the state of knowledge about climate change and migration in Tuvalu, explaining the Falepili Union and the ways in which its migration provision may be either a mechanism for adaptation or maladaptation. We then describe a range of policy conditions to maximize the adaptation outcomes for Tuvalu and Tuvaluans. These include measures from the Australian government to support Tuvaluans who migrate..