Nauru Sells Citizenship to Fund Climate Action

Nauru, a tiny island nation in the Pacific Ocean, is offering citizenship for sale to raise funds for climate protection. Covering just 20 square kilometers, the island is struggling with rising sea levels, storms, and coastal erosion due to global warming.

A Last Hope for Survival

With climate change worsening and resources running out, Nauru hopes its golden passport program will help secure a better future. The success of this plan depends on how well it attracts investors while keeping strict security checks in place.

For now, the island relies on international buyers to help it face the environmental challenges ahead.

Citizenship for $105,000

The Nauru government has launched a program allowing people to buy citizenship for $105,000 (about ₹91.44 lakh). The revenue from this program will be used to relocate all 12,500 residents to safer areas and build a new community for them.

Strict Rules for Buyers

Not everyone can buy Nauru’s passport. The government has set strict background checks to ensure that only trustworthy individuals can apply. People with certain criminal records will not be allowed to obtain citizenship, preventing misuse.

Why Nauru Needs This Money

Nauru’s problems started long ago. Phosphate mining in the 1900s destroyed 80% of the island, making it unlivable. Most of its people now live along the coast, where rising sea levels pose a serious threat.

The government estimates that moving residents and building a new community will cost around ₹545 crore.

In the past, Nauru tried other ways to make money. Since the early 2000s, it served as an offshore detention center for refugees trying to enter Australia. However, this program was scaled down after reports of deaths and poor conditions.

Aiming for 500 Buyers

The program started last year and has already begun receiving applications. Officials hope to approve 66 candidates this year and eventually reach 500 successful applicants. The program is expected to generate around €50 million (₹453 crore), covering about 20% of Nauru’s government revenue and funding the relocation project.

Benefits of a Nauru Passport

A Nauru passport allows visa-free travel to 89 countries, including the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE. However, most new passport holders may never visit the island.

The Impact of Climate Change

The United States’ withdrawal from climate agreements has made it even harder for small countries like Nauru to get financial help, making this program even more important.