Low-lying Pacific nation Tuvalu faces risk of submergence due to rising seas: UN

The United Nations has highlighted the growing threat of rising sea levels to the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, warning that much of the country could be underwater by the end of the century.

According to the UN report released around Earth Day, up to 95% of Tuvalu’s land area could be submerged by 2100 due to accelerating sea level rise. Over the past three decades alone, sea levels around the country have risen by about 21 centimetres, nearly double the global average.

Tuvalu, made up of low-lying atolls, sits less than two metres above sea level, making it one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Increasingly frequent high tides and coastal flooding are already affecting homes, infrastructure and freshwater supplies, with traditional protective measures offering limited relief.

The crisis is also triggering large-scale migration concerns. A significant portion of Tuvalu’s population has explored relocation options, including through a bilateral arrangement with Australia that allows a limited number of citizens to move each year.

At the same time, the country is experimenting with unconventional solutions. Tuvalu has begun developing a “digital nation” to preserve its identity and statehood in case its physical territory becomes uninhabitable. The move reflects growing concerns about the future of nations facing existential climate threats.

Efforts are also underway to adapt on the ground. Projects supported by the United Nations Development Programme include land reclamation and coastal protection, with plans to create new elevated areas to safeguard communities. The initiative is estimated to cost tens of millions of dollars and aims to provide a longer-term buffer against rising seas.

In a significant legal development, international discussions have also moved towards recognising that a country’s sovereignty and maritime rights may continue even if its land is lost to climate change.

The UN has stressed that Tuvalu’s situation underscores the urgent need for global climate action, as rising seas threaten not just ecosystems but the very existence of nations.