Australia and Tuvalu have signed a climate treaty called the Falepili Union, the world’s first bilateral agreement on climate mobility. Under this treaty, more than 280 dedicated climate visas will be issued annually, allowing Tuvalu citizens to live, work, and study in Australia without the need for a job offer. But what is the story behind the world’s first climate visa?
Tuvalu, a small island nation in the Pacific with a population of around 11,000, has become a symbol of extreme vulnerability in the face of climate change. With an average elevation of less than two meters above sea level—and projections suggesting it could become uninhabitable by mid-century—the country faces an existential threat. This looming crisis prompted the signing of the climate treaty with Australia, according to Climate Fact Checks, a platform specialized in climate news, and the official website of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs.
Climate Change and National Security Threats
The Falepili Union is built on three core pillars: climate cooperation, strengthening security relations, and human mobility. It represents a clear recognition of climate change as the greatest national security threat to Tuvalu. Under this treaty, Australia commits to supporting adaptation and building resilience across the region.
Unlike traditional refugee or labor visas, the Union promotes mobility through the lens of climate justice. Anyone over the age of 18—including the elderly—can apply regardless of employment status. Once accepted, applicants gain access to Australian benefits such as healthcare and education.
The Visa Lottery: Historic Demand
In June, the visa lottery was launched, attracting more than 3,000 primary applicants and their families—over one-third of Tuvalu’s entire population—in just a few days. This far exceeded the annual cap of 280 visas.
The overwhelming response highlights the immense emotional and practical pressures faced by Tuvaluans, and the urgency with which they view migration as a lifeline.
What Has Climate Change Done to Tuvalu?
Sea levels around Tuvalu have risen by about 15 centimeters over the past 30 years—roughly 1.5 times the global average. At the current pace, half of Funafuti, Tuvalu’s capital island, could be regularly inundated by 2050, and large parts of the country may become uninhabitable within the next 80 years.
Two coral islands have already disappeared beneath the waves. Even “king tides”—the highest natural tides of the year—are now causing increasingly frequent flooding in low-lying areas. While coral reefs can naturally rebuild through sediment deposition, the growing intensity of cyclones and storms threatens this balance by eroding protective vegetation and topsoil.
The Drawbacks of the Climate Visa
Tuvalu has repeatedly sought to combat climate change and continues its efforts. Yet despite the many benefits of the climate visa, it is not without potential downsides, such as:
Brain Drain: The outmigration of workers, particularly young people, weakens Tuvalu’s economy, which relies heavily on fishing licenses and remittances.
Cultural Erosion: Family ties and collective memory risk being deeply diminished if large segments of the population relocate abroad.
A Landmark Step Toward Climate Justice
Tuvalu’s climate visa represents a landmark move toward climate justice. It offers a lifeline to those displaced by rising seas while signaling global recognition of climate-induced migration.
