Climate Migration: Global Pressures and Responses
The devastating effects of climate change, such as hurricanes and floods, have caused 26.4 million people to be internally displaced in 2024.
Climate disasters have different repercussions on the involved areas. For example, economically, infrastructure damage can halt businesses, disrupt productivity, and diminish incomes. Political consequences often manifest as governance challenges, especially when disaster responses falter. Such situations erode public trust in authorities, fuel discontent as well as inequality, and may even provoke unrest, threatening the region's stability. On a social level, the upheaval of daily life proves devastating, resulting in the loss of livelihoods, loved ones, and community ties. Compromised water and sanitation systems heighten health risks, while failures in essential services such as power, transport, communication, education, and healthcare disrupt lives. These interconnected factors often leave people with no choice but to migrate. The areas damaged by natural disasters have changed over the years to the point where it became a global challenge. For example, the rise of the sea level in Jakarta has been alarming for decades, and experts have warned that one-third of the city could be submerged by 2050. In other parts of the world, like some of the Pacific Islands or Bangladesh, this has also been a big worry in recent years. On the other hand, there are cities that in the past few years have been more affected by floods than in previous decades, like Miami or some cities in West Africa.
International Organization for Migration 2024 Report
In this context, the IOM (International Organization for Migration) 2024 report highlights that climate migration routes are primarily influenced by weather-related hazards such as floods, storms, and droughts. Migrants often move from rural to urban areas within their own countries, seeking better opportunities and safety. Cross-border migration is also significant, especially in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where climate impacts are severe. For landfalling countries, the consequences are multifaceted. Economically, an influx of migrants can strain resources but also provide labor and entrepreneurial opportunities. In Europe, migrants frequently head to Southern European countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain, which serve as entry points into the EU. Socially, integration challenges arise, requiring effective policies to ensure cohesion and prevent conflicts. Infrastructure and public services, such as healthcare and housing, face increased pressure, necessitating substantial planning and investment.
A EU regulation is still missing
The growth in the forced climate-related migrations calls for new actions at both regional and international levels to ensure efficient humanitarian cooperation, especially since this kind of migration hasn’t been included in the Refugee Convention. At the EU level, there hasn’t been yet a concrete action to address climate-related migration: refugees’ protection is still regulated at the national level, while the EU Commission has limited its action on recognizing the impact of climate change on forced migration and the need to address population displacement through partnerships with countries that are most affected by climate disasters. At the international level, an important role is played by organizations such as the UNHCR and the IOM, who have often been working together to increase the awareness over the insufficiency of the current humanitarian measures in place to address climate-related displacement while promoting new guidelines and tools to face this crisis. The IOM has stressed the importance of implementing effective evacuation and prevention plans in countries exposed to climate disasters. These measures would be the first step towards more functional internal displacement management. In addition, following the path traced by the 2012 Nansen Initiative, the 2015 Paris Agreement, and the 2018 Global Compact for Migration, the international community must establish a cohesive strategy to recognize “climate refugee” status and provide people with adequate assistance. For instance, a 2021 White House report suggests that the US could grant humanitarian visas, education programs, labor schemes, and pathways to permanent residency to those facing displacement due to climate change.
Research shows how immediate action is pivotal to prevent further damages to the environment, resulting in an increased climate-related migration from vulnerable areas. Climate change won’t be stopped immediately, but every action matters.
