Nauru is offering citizenship for $105,000 per passport to fund the relocation of its citizens due to climate threats. This initiative is aimed at combating rising sea levels and generating funds for national safety, marking a proactive step in climate resilience. While previous programs faced exploitation, this scheme is designed with safeguards against misuse and demonstrates global citizenship strategies addressing climate challenges.
Nauru, a minuscule island nation in the Pacific Ocean, is introducing a citizenship initiative priced at $105,000 (over Rs 91.44 lakh) per passport to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change. Encompassing merely 20 square kilometers, this scheme aims to raise funds to facilitate the relocation of Nauru’s 12,500 residents to safer elevations as sea levels continue to rise.
The island is confronted with threats such as coastal erosion, storm surges, and rising sea levels, necessitating immediate intervention. President David Adeang emphasized the urgency, stating, “While the world debates climate action, we must take proactive steps to secure our nation’s future.” The government has stipulated that individuals with criminal records will be ineligible for citizenship, seeking to prevent the program from being misused for illicit purposes.
This is not the first occasion Nauru has launched a passport program; previous initiatives were marred by controversies. In the mid-1990s, a similar scheme was tainted when two alleged Al Qaeda operatives possessing Nauru passports were apprehended in Malaysia in 2003. Kirstin Surak, a political sociology professor at the London School of Economics, remarked that such programs enable individuals to pursue “global lives,” benefiting those with limited passport privileges.
The newly introduced program will provide visa-free access to 89 nations, including the United Kingdom, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. Nauru’s government anticipates generating over $5.6 million during the first year of the initiative, with expectations of escalating to approximately $42 million annually, contributing 19% of total government revenue.
The government is implementing this plan cautiously, considering potential unintended consequences and negative impacts, as stated by the CEO of the Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program. Nauru is not alone in this approach; Dominica, another nation, has operated a citizenship-by-investment program since 1993, utilizing its profits to advance its goal of achieving climate resilience by 2030.
Nauru’s groundbreaking citizenship initiative represents a proactive approach to combat climate challenges faced by the island. By offering passports at a substantial cost, the government aims to generate vital funds for relocating its citizens. The initiative demonstrates the precarious balancing act between economic need and ensuring security, as seen in the careful measures taken to prevent exploitation. This program highlights a growing trend among nations, including Dominica, to leverage citizenship options for financial sustainability in the face of climate change.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
