Resource information
This paper explains how climate change
may increase future migration, and which risks are
associated with such migration. It also examines how some of
this migration may enhance the capacity of communities to
adapt to climate change. Climate change is likely to result
in some increase above baseline rates of migration in the
next 40 years. Most of this migration will occur within
developing countries. There is little reason to think that
such migration will increase the risk of violent conflict.
Not all movements in response to climate change will have
negative outcomes for the people that move, or the places
they come from and go to. Migration, a proven development
strategy, can increase the capacity of communities to adapt
to climate change. The fewer choices people have about
moving, however, the less likely it is that the outcomes of
that movement will be positive. Involuntary resettlement
should be a last resort. Many of the most dire risks arising
from climate-motivated migration can be avoided through
careful policy. Policy responses to minimize the risks
associated with migration in response to climate change, and
to maximize migration s contribution to adaptive capacity
include: ensuring that migrants have the same rights and
opportunities as host communities; reducing the costs of
moving money and people between areas of origin and
destination; facilitating mutual understanding among
migrants and host communities; clarifying property rights
where they are contested; ensuring that efforts to assist
migrants include host communities; and strengthening
regional and international emergency response systems.
