Accommodating migration to promote adaptation to climate change
This report explains the ways in which climate change may increase future migration, and the risks associated with such migration. It also examines the way some of the migration that will arise from climate change may enhance the capacity of communities to adapt to climate change.
It argues that while climate change is likely to result in some increase above baseline rates of mobility in the next 40 years, many of the most dire risks arising from this increased mobility are amenable to management through aid, development, and migration policies. It then examines the lessons emerging from research on migration and development to argue that there is considerable potential to harness migration to promote adaptation to climate change in both sending and host communities.
The report also explains the challenges associated with the resettlement of entire communities, arguing that this is a last resort option that should be avoided as much as possible. It concludes with specific recommendations about policies and institutions to maximise the benefits and minimise the costs of migration arising from climate change.