ENVIRONMENTAL MIGRATION: INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORKS, DIGITAL MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND THE EXPERIENCE OF KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

This article examines environmental migration as an emerging domain of international law and a key component of the contemporary global climate agenda. The aim of the study is to identify the international legal mechanisms regulating environmental migration in the context of digital transformation and to assess the prospects for integrating these mechanisms into Kazakhstan’s national migration policy. Drawing on UN documents, UNFCCC instruments, initiatives of the International Organization for Migration, as well as the experience of the European Union and Germany, the article analyses institutional and digital tools for managing climate-induced mobility.

The research methodology combines comparative legal analysis, a systemic approach and the study of digital solutions applied in migration governance. The findings demonstrate that digitalization — including satellite monitoring, geographic information systems, artificial intelligence and global data platforms — is becoming an integral part of international regulation, enhancing the predictability of migration processes.

The scientific novelty of the study lies in its comprehensive examination of international legal and digital approaches to the regulation of environmental migration, taking into account the regional specificities of Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The practical significance of the research is determined by its applicability for improving migration legislation, integrating climate risks into public policy and developing digital tools for monitoring and early warning.
The analysis shows that Kazakhstan has the potential to develop a national digital-legal model of environmental migration governance based on international standards and regional cooperation.

Keywords: environmental migration, international law, digitalization, Kazakhstan, climate risks.