Australia, Tuvalu to Lock in Climate Asylum Visa

The leaders of both countries heralded what Tuvalu’s PM described as a ‘groundbreaking arrangement’ which aims to help the island fight climate change.

An aerial view of a strip of land between the Pacific Ocean (R) and lagoon in Funafuti, Tuvalu on Nov. 28, 2019. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Australia will offer up to 280 visas each year to people from the tiny Pacific Island of Tuvalu, which it says is under threat by rising sea levels.

Under the Falepili Union treaty, which comes into force on Aug. 28, Australia will fund climate adaptation and development projects.