The low-lying island nation of 13,000 residents is planning a mass inland relocation as the human-caused climate crisis raises global sea levels, eating away at the country’s fertile coastal fringe.
Nauru officials believe 90% of the population will eventually need to move to higher ground. The first phase of this mass relocation is estimated to cost more than US$60m.
The country will drum up funding by selling passports to foreigners for US$105,000 each, despite fears such schemes are ripe for criminal exploitation.
Nauru claims its passport will provide visa-free entry into 89 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.
Nauru has accepted millions of dollars from the Australian government since 2012 for housing migrants who had sought asylum in Australia. But the scheme was gradually scaled back after 14 detainee deaths, multiple suicide attempts and at least six referrals to the international criminal court. Nauru still held 87 people as of 31 August 2024, according to latest Australian government figures.