Migration in INDCs/NDCs - IOM analysis

Where is migration in INDCs and NDCs?

Out of the 162 INDCS submissions[5] to the UNFCCC before COP21, 33 submissions refers to migration in one of its different forms. This means that 20% of the current submissions refer to migration. Among these countries, 46% are located on the African continent, 33% in Asia-Pacific and Oceania and 21% in Latin America. Unsurprisingly, these continents are the most affected by climate change[6], which might explain their interest in linking climate impacts to migration issues. 

The references to  migration mostly focus on three dimensions, which reflect the overall debate on climate migration:  i) managing the effects of climate change on security and the need to tackle and prevent adverse mobility effects such as the displacement of people due to natural disasters and/or migratory movements linked to climate change as a push factor; ii) using migration as a possible adaptation strategy to climatic changes through policy measures such as resettlement and relocation; and iii) leveraging remittances and financial transfers from migrants and diasporas to contribute to climate action.

Six months after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, six of the INDCs became NDCs following states’ ratification of the Agreement. As INDCs and NDCs reflect states’ commitments to combat the negative effects of climate change, it is encouraging to note that one fifth of the states, Parties to the UNFCCC, have made reference to human mobility in their national submissions, and that many of these states have firmed up their commitments following the adoption of the Paris Agreement.

Please see all references to human mobility in the INDCs here. 

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