Regional IOM Special Edition on Migration, Environment and Climate Change in South America

It is an important year for South America in terms of Climate Change: In December Peru is home to the COP20, and in November Venezuela will chair the "High Level Ministerial Meeting” Pre-COP. Furthermore, the relationship between climate change and migration will become more important for South America, requiring greater attention in the coming years. The impact of climate change and environmental degradation could become a migration driver.

Such impact of climate change and environmental degradation does not only exacerbate the level of pre-existing vulnerability, but also diminishes individual capacities for adaptation, thereby forcing individuals to migrate. Significant differences exist within South America regarding the scale and nature of sudden and slow onset disasters exacerbated by climate change and environmental degradation, economic and social vulnerabilities, as well as the ability of countries and populations to adapt to a changing climate. The ability of countries and populations to adapt to the changing climate varies from country to country. While identifying and supporting those displaced by climate change requires a rights-based response to protect these individuals.

Countries in South America are in the process of developing and adopting policy instruments to reduce risk and associated socio-economic impacts, including integration of immigration and human rights perspective into national climate change policies. Recognizing the complex relationship between climate change, environmental factors and migration is the first step in order to act appropriately from the operational point of view, at local, national and regional levels.