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Climate Change and the Politics of Survival: Tuvalu’s climate diplomacy as securitization

Achziger, Hanna LU (2025) STVK12 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
Tuvalu, a low-lying Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is projected to face
severe challenges due to climate change. Most notably, permanent inundation or
the permanent loss of habitable land due to sea-level rise. This thesis investigates
how Tuvalu has framed climate change as an existential security threat in its
international discourse from 2021 to 2023. Applying an adapted version of
securitization theory, the study analyzes key speeches of Tuvaluan Foreign
Minister Simon Kofe and Prime Minister Kausea Natano at COP26, COP27, and
COP28. Using a qualitative content analysis, the study identifies elements of
securitizing language, including the construction of climate change as a threat, the
designation of referent objects,... (More)
Tuvalu, a low-lying Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is projected to face
severe challenges due to climate change. Most notably, permanent inundation or
the permanent loss of habitable land due to sea-level rise. This thesis investigates
how Tuvalu has framed climate change as an existential security threat in its
international discourse from 2021 to 2023. Applying an adapted version of
securitization theory, the study analyzes key speeches of Tuvaluan Foreign
Minister Simon Kofe and Prime Minister Kausea Natano at COP26, COP27, and
COP28. Using a qualitative content analysis, the study identifies elements of
securitizing language, including the construction of climate change as a threat, the
designation of referent objects, and the articulation of extraordinary measures.
This thesis finds that Tuvalu employs a unique and multidimensional strategy,
using language and imagery. Through exploring this, the thesis contributes to
broader theoretical debates such as the expansion of securitization into
non-traditional threats, like climate change. Findings show that Tuvalu does not
securitize despite its vulnerability, but through it, using security language to assert
sovereignty, legitimize moral claims, and reshape global climate-security
discourse. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Achziger, Hanna LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK12 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
securitization theory, Tuvalu, climate change, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), climate security
language
English
id
9189574
date added to LUP
2025-08-07 16:27:24
date last changed
2025-08-07 16:27:24
@misc{9189574,
  abstract     = {{Tuvalu, a low-lying Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is projected to face
severe challenges due to climate change. Most notably, permanent inundation or
the permanent loss of habitable land due to sea-level rise. This thesis investigates
how Tuvalu has framed climate change as an existential security threat in its
international discourse from 2021 to 2023. Applying an adapted version of
securitization theory, the study analyzes key speeches of Tuvaluan Foreign
Minister Simon Kofe and Prime Minister Kausea Natano at COP26, COP27, and
COP28. Using a qualitative content analysis, the study identifies elements of
securitizing language, including the construction of climate change as a threat, the
designation of referent objects, and the articulation of extraordinary measures.
This thesis finds that Tuvalu employs a unique and multidimensional strategy,
using language and imagery. Through exploring this, the thesis contributes to
broader theoretical debates such as the expansion of securitization into
non-traditional threats, like climate change. Findings show that Tuvalu does not
securitize despite its vulnerability, but through it, using security language to assert
sovereignty, legitimize moral claims, and reshape global climate-security
discourse.}},
  author       = {{Achziger, Hanna}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Climate Change and the Politics of Survival: Tuvalu’s climate diplomacy as securitization}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}