Tiny Pacific nation Nauru selling passports to foreigners to help residents at risk from climate change

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) – The Pacific island country of Nauru is selling passports to help cover the costs of moving thousands of residents from low-level homes threatened by climate change-induced floods and rising sea levels, according to a media report.

Australian broadcaster SBS reported on Thursday that the passports will cost a minimum of $130,000 for a single applicant, $137,500 for a family of two to four, or $145,000 for a family of five or more under the Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program.

Nauru is a tiny island and the world's third-smallest country in northeastern Australia. It covers only 21 square kilometers (8.1 square miles) and has a population of less than 12,000 people.

The passport holder will be able to travel visa-free to several other countries, including Hong Kong, Ireland, Singapore, and the UK.

The Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program is part of the island nation's initiative to strengthen its climate resilience.

Nauru is facing negative impacts of climate change as 80% of the island country is considered uninhabitable.

The country is also experiencing increased biodiversity loss and rising sea levels, which are endangering low-lying coastal areas, the broadcaster said.

The country also launched the Higher Ground Initiative to relocate vulnerable homes and infrastructure to higher elevations.