Migrations and climate change: a complex relationship

Are migrations and climate change linked? What is climate justice? Who are the most vulnerable ones in the climate transition? A DEAR Exchange Hub explored the migrations-climate change nexus. See below the takeaways and the full report.

^{Photo by Jo-Anne McArthur on Unsplash}

Human mobility associated with natural disasters, climate change and environmental degradation has reached unprecedented levels. Each year, they contribute to the displacement of a great number of people, with most persons resettling within the borders of their homelands.

Although reliable data are lacking, climate-induced displacement is gaining recognition and is now a part of the migration discourse.

Several DEAR projects address the social consequences of the current environmental crises, and a DEAR Exchange Hub was devoted to exploring the climate change-migration nexus. 

DEAR Exchange Hubs are regular peer-learning events designed for DEAR Programme implementers: 39 participants from 10 EU DEAR projects and 14 countries, DG INTPA, and the DEAR Support Team met in Tallinn (Estonia), at the end of September 2022. 

The Exchange Hub programme unfolded over two and a half days and was built around three strands: 

• DEAR Hub-specific activities
• The Open Estonia Conference  
• The youth-led event with DEAR projects’ contribution

Key Takeaways: 

• The awareness about the social implications of climate change, including the climate-migration nexus, is limited among the European public - including youth. 
• There is ample potential for further DEAR work on this nexus, although systematic and reliable data on climate-related mobility is missing.
• Some DEAR projects provide an interesting evidence base for action on the climate change-migration nexus through research, surveys, as well as learning and awareness-raising resources.
• The terminology related to environmental crises and migrations is loosely applied. Delving into the nuances and political implications of the terms used is necessary, and welcomed by practitioners.
• Europeans can be mobilised more effectively on these issues if we regularly connect global phenomena with their local reality: both in space, showing the effects in people’s immediate surroundings, and in time, showing that the impacts are already in the present and no longer in the (far) future.
• Tackling the migration-climate change nexus requires moving beyond the ‘consenting bubble’. Global citizenship education and awareness-raising activities should acknowledge the tensions  associated with  climate justice debates and just transition solutions. Those bring to the surface contrasting interests and visions of rights and responsibilities that require careful handling in DEAR projects. 
• The inclusion of voices from outside the EU, while challenging, would allow for debates and perspectives beyond Europe.

Read the DEAR Exchange Hub report HERE

See below:

• the presentation about terminology, research findings from DEAR projects, and facts and figures about the migrations-climate change nexus
• the presentation from the workshop ‘Climate Diaries’ from the DEAR project Climate of Change 
• the presentation of the workshop Heatwave in your city from the DEAR project Game On! 

See HERE a photo gallery from the Hub and the video interviews by Mindchangers reporters with some participants and youth activists