The Pacific island nation of Nauru is offering citizenship in exchange for money due to the rising sea levels. The 13,000 population low-lying island nation facing the risk of being submerged, plans to relocate its citizens from the coastal areas to higher inland regions. The country will generate funds by selling passports to foreigners for 105,000 US dollars each, through its “golden passport” program, aiming to earn approximately 6 million dollars in the first year.

Nauru, a Pacific island nation, is at risk of being submerged due to rising sea levels. The country has started offering citizenship in exchange for money. President of the country, David Adeang, announced the launch of a controversial “golden passport” program as climate financing diminishes.

RESIDENTS MOVING INLAND The low-lying island nation of 13,000 people, facing a human-induced climate crisis raising sea levels and depleting the country’s fertile coastal strip, is planning a mass “inland relocation”. Officials state that 90% of the island’s population will need to move to higher ground.

GOLDEN PASSPORT FOR 105,000 DOLLARS Despite fears of such schemes being open to criminal exploitation, the country plans to generate funds by selling passports to foreigners for 105,000 US dollars each.

VISA-FREE ENTRY TO 89 COUNTRIES

Nauru claims that its passport will grant visa-free entry to 89 countries, including the UK, Ireland, the UAE, and Hong Kong. President Adeang stated in an AFP interview, “For Nauru, the issue is not only adapting to climate change, but also securing a sustainable future for future generations.”

AIMING FOR A 6 MILLION DOLLAR PROFIT IN THE FIRST YEAR Edward Clark, the head of the golden passport program, says they aim to earn approximately 6 million dollars in the first year. He suggests this could reach 43 million dollars in the future.