When climate forces people to move: Bridging the gap between global frameworks and local action
This practitioner’s brief documents lessons and recommendations from the Global Programme on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC), implemented by GIZ with partners including the African Union, ECOWAS, Fiji and the Philippines. It examines how climate-related mobility intersects with adaptation, disaster risk reduction, migration governance and development planning, and synthesises practical experience from governance approaches, institutional reforms, pilot initiatives and regional exchange processes. The brief draws on implementation experience across continental, regional, national and local levels to identify practical lessons for strengthening climate mobility governance.
The brief identifies five key lessons:
- institutionalising HMCCC within existing governance structures;
- ensuring data systems directly inform planning, early warning and decision-making;
- using pilot initiatives to translate policy commitments into practice;
- improving access to finance and financing readiness;
- and promoting structured exchange between countries and institutions.
It recommends strengthening institutional and technical capacity, embedding HMCCC within permanent governance structures, improving data and knowledge systems, promoting rights-based and participatory approaches, facilitating access to climate finance, expanding peer-to-peer learning, and integrating HMCCC into broader climate, development, humanitarian and conflict-related agendas.
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