The Tiny Nation of Republic of Nauru has welcomed its first new citizens under the government’s Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program, which was launched at COP29 summit late last year. Under the climate change citizenship program, responsible investors are required to contribute $105,000 plus fees to the Nauru climate fund in exchange for permanent citizenship.
World’s Fifth Vulnerable Nation
Nauru, ranked the world’s fifth most vulnerable nation under the United Nations’ Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) for its heightened exposure to economic and environmental shocks.
Global Climate Citizens
Nauru is embarking on a climate change citizenship initiative that will reform the nation in the face of economic challenges and climate change, which as well as dealing with issues like food and water security, includes the “Higher Ground Initiative” – relocating almost the entire population from the coast to higher ground.
Climate investments injected into national economy contribute to natural disaster recovery, and empowers local population vulnerable to climate shocks. Climate Citizens are responsible investors who actively contribute to climate change and sustainable development strengthening communities vulnerable to climate shocks.
CBI programs already attract high-net-worth individuals seeking global mobility and security.
By linking citizenship programs to climate-focused projects—such as renewable energy, sustainable housing, or reforestation—small countries can unlock billions in funding that directly supports global climate resilience.
Vetting
Rigorous due diligence checks are conducted on all applicants who are sixteen years of age or above to ensure the integrity of the program. These checks are performed by the Compliance Officers of the Nauru Program Office, the Nauru Police Force, and independent international due diligence firms specializing in anti-money laundering (AML) and background verifications.
The due diligence process typically takes one to two months, and applicants are required to fully cooperate by providing any additional documentation if requested.
