Nauru, a small island nation in the Pacific, is offering citizenship for sale to help fund its fight against rising sea levels. President David Adeang shared this news, highlighting the need for innovative solutions as traditional climate funding runs out.
This tiny country, home to about 13,000 people, is facing a serious challenge. The ocean is slowly swallowing its land, forcing plans for a mass move inland. To raise money, Nauru is selling passports to foreigners for $105,000 each. However, there are worries that such programs can attract criminals.
“This isn’t just about survival. It’s about creating a safe and sustainable future for our children,” said Adeang. Nauru is a small nation, measuring just 21 square kilometers (or around 8 square miles) and is known for its rich phosphate deposits, which used to make it one of the wealthiest places by population. Unfortunately, mining has rendered 80% of its land uninhabitable, and rising sea levels threaten what little is left.
Edward Clark, who manages Nauru’s new citizenship program, pointed out that existing climate finance isn’t enough. He believes this program is an innovative approach. The government aims to earn approximately $5.7 million in the first year from around 66 applications, hoping this could grow to $43 million through about 500 successful applicants.
Nauru’s officials believe that almost 90% of its population may need to relocate. The initial phase of this relocation may cost over $60 million, and the new citizenship program is seen as a key way to cover these expenses.
Nauru’s passport offers visa-free access to 89 countries, including the UK and UAE. While many countries have similar investment-based migration schemes, these programs are often criticized for being susceptible to misuse. For instance, a previous attempt by Nauru in 2003 led to serious security issues when Al-Qaeda members were able to obtain citizenship.
This time around, Clark assures that they will implement strict checks on applicants to ensure that they are genuine investors who can contribute positively to the community. He emphasizes that this program is about joining a group focused on solving collective global challenges.
Nauru has also received significant funds from Australia since 2012 for housing asylum seekers. But concerns about human rights violations in that program have led to its gradual reduction.
As Nauru embarks on this new path, it hopes to stabilize its future and adapt to the harsh realities of climate change.
