CLIMATE-INDUCED MIGRATION TO THE EU: LEGAL PROTECTION GAPS AND THE ROLE OF MEDIA NARRATIVES

Authors

  • Vasil Pavlov University of National and World Economy Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Raquel Cardoso Lusiada University/CEJEIA Porto, Portugal
  • Panagiota (Naya) Kalfeli Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.68302/std2026.vol1.21

Keywords:

Climate Change, Migration, European Union, Legal Framework, Media Narratives

Abstract

Climate change, along with political persecution, military conflicts, and poor socio-economic conditions, is one of the key drivers of forced migration. This issue has become increasingly relevant, especially in light of rising global temperatures, storms, droughts, sea-level rise, and resource depletion. However, international law currently offers limited protection for climate-displaced persons. This paper has three main objectives: first, to examine the current state of immigration in the European Union (EU) by analyzing official Eurostat secondary data; second, to identify gaps in migration and environmental law; and third, to examine the dominant media narratives surrounding climate-induced migration and the ways in which they shape public understanding and decision-making related to this phenomenon. By doing so, it aims to formulate specific, comprehensive, rights-based recommendations to address the humanitarian and legal challenges of climate-induced migration, while also promoting more accurate, responsible and contextualized media coverage of the phenomenon.

Supporting Agencies

This paper presents results obtained as part of the project КП-06-М85/1 “Refugee Processes: Socio-Economic Dimensions in the Contemporary Security Environment”, funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund.

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Published

17.09.2026

How to Cite

[1]
V. Pavlov, R. Cardoso, and P. (Naya) Kalfeli, “CLIMATE-INDUCED MIGRATION TO THE EU: LEGAL PROTECTION GAPS AND THE ROLE OF MEDIA NARRATIVES”, SysTechDev, vol. 1, pp. 341–349, Sep. 2026, doi: 10.68302/std2026.vol1.21.