Isha Desai at the 2026 Y20 Summit in Washington, DC.
Last month, I represented Australia at the G20 Youth Summit in Washington DC on the Global Economy and Job Creation track. This involved a week of negotiations with a representative from each G20 member state to produce a set of policy recommendations known as the Y20 communiqué. My track negotiated on economic inequality, intergenerational wealth, housing policy and social protection for all workers. You can read the communique here.
The fellowship also requires each delegate to develop a domestic policy proposal, which is published in the Global Voices Journal and read by politicians, policymakers and the public. We work with editors and policy managers over six months to ensure that our proposal is viable and detailed. For this component, my focus is on climate displacement in the Indo-Pacific. Currently, international law lacks a universal definition for climate refugees. Policy addressing climate migration remains fragmented and unsupported. This is especially urgent in the Indo-Pacific, where low-lying islands face imminent extinction from rising sea levels and intense natural disasters. 90 million people in the region are at risk of climate-induced displacement. Without action, these displaced individuals are at risk of discrimination, exploitation and trafficking.
My proposal aims to establish a legal foundation and migration pathway for vulnerable Indo-Pacific populations who are at risk of permanent displacement from the effects of climate change. I propose three options:
- Add a climate migration subclass in the Migration Act 1958 to establish a legal foundation for climate-induced refugees to apply for a visa
- Amend Migration Regulations 1994 Schedule 2 eligibility criteria to recognise cumulative indicators of climate displacement for a Protection Visa and Pacific Engagement Visas
- The Australian Government should formally recognise statehood of countries that become uninhabitable due to climate change
Ultimately, to ‘introduce a climate migration subclass to the Migration Act 1958’, is recommended at the first step towards protecting climate displaced communities and ensuring their migration options are dignified and rights based. This policy is recommended because it acts as a precursor for the other two options. A climate migration subclass can become the foundation for the Australian Government to accept cumulative indicators of climate change in visa applications and recognise the statehood of deteriorating states. It also offers the advantage of being the most progressive proposal in furthering the rights of climate-displaced populations.
I think it is important that young people move from sustainability awareness to practical action through using their voice and setting measurable goals in their daily life. In sustainability, I find that perfect is often the enemy of the good. Even if you can’t achieve 100% environmentally friendly lifestyle it is important to take the small steps you can and keep advocating for a sustainable future to ensure that it is always a part of the conversation.
You can read Isha’s proposal here: Australian Climate Mobility Governance in the Indo-Pacific: Bridging the legal and policy gap
Note: The views and policy proposals expressed in this guest contribution are Isha Desai’s own and do not necessarily represent those of Strategy&Ops Consultancy.
Biography of Author
Isha Desai is a writer, researcher and analyst with a focus on social impact, sustainability and climate change. In 2026 Isha represented Australia at the G20 Youth Summit in Washington DC on the Global Economy and Job Creation track.