Context
The negative effects of climate change are already having an impact on settlements and economic areas and are consequently influencing migration movements. In future, extreme weather occurrences will become even more frequent and intense, and sea levels will continue to rise. These factors will have an increasing impact on disaster displacement, migration and planned resettlement.
The populations in atoll and island states as well as coastal regions of the Pacific, the Caribbean and the Philippines are especially hard hit by the impacts of climate change, with more intense storms, flooding and rising sea levels posing a particular risk. The regions of East and West Africa are also severely affected, for example by dry spells and flash floods.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) recognises migration as a strategy for adapting to climate change. The Task Force on Displacement of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage (WIM) has been explicitly addressing the issue of human mobility in the context of climate change since 2017. The Global Compact for Migration (GCM) also acknowledges climate change as a driver for migration and demands that we improve our understanding of and find solutions for migration in the context of natural disasters and climate change.
Regionally-adapted measures for dealing with climate-induced migration, planned resettlement and disaster displacement are essential for the survival of affected populations. For this reason, local governments need practice-based knowledge in order to trial measures and exchange experience with partners.
Objective
Development-oriented handling of (internal) migration, disaster displacement, and voluntary and planned relocation in the context of climate change is improved.
Approach
The project works with national governments, researchers and climate and migration organisations to identify and rectify knowledge gaps. At the same time, it supports exchange processes between partners and disseminates the knowledge gained at international meetings and through platforms. These include events within the framework of the UNFCCC and WIM.
The activities support regional organisations and national governments in developing their capacities to deal with climate-induced migration, for instance by providing policy-related advice. Particular emphasis is placed on the involvement of and support for vulnerable groups during implementation.