Sea level rise: Human rights impacts and legal obligations to prevent and repair climate harm

This brief examines both the escalating human rights crisis and the binding international legal obligations that apply as climate-driven sea level rise intensifies. Drawing on the 2025 International Court of Justice climate advisory opinion and other international legal frameworks, the brief explains States’ duties to prevent significant climate harm, cooperate internationally, protect human rights, and provide effective remedy and reparation. Rising seas are already threatening lives, livelihoods, health, housing, food and water security, cultural identity, and the rights of coastal and island communities, with disproportionate impacts on people and States that have contributed least to climate change. For low-lying States, sea level rise is not a future risk, but a present and escalating human rights crisis.

It also examines critical legal questions related to statehood, maritime zones, self-determination, climate-related displacement, non-refoulement, access to information and justice, and the rights of present and future generations. The brief offers recommendations for governments and negotiators on responding to sea level rise through rights-based, legally grounded action, including stronger fossil fuel phaseout measures, climate finance and mobility pathways, meaningful participation by affected communities, and remedies for climate harm.