Displacement and migration related to disasters, climate change and environmental degradation
23 Aug 2023
Report: Climate change is a global challenge. It will worsen living conditions and lead to the loss of livelihoods for many local populations. And there is a growing need for the international community to address climate-induced migration.
Climate change has been linked to the displacement of 23.7 million people worldwide in 2021. While the majority of those affected are internally displaced, some are forced to cross borders and may be in need of international protection.
The European Migration Network (EMN), which aims to provide EU countries and the public with comparable information on migration and asylum, is the author of the report Displacement and migration related to disasters, climate change and environmental degradation. It puts into perspective how EMN member countries and a number of non-EU OECD countries view climate-related migration and touches on what increased international cooperation in this area could mean.
Several countries are currently exploring the issue, and a number of projects and initiatives have been launched in several countries. However, there is no specific legislation on climate-related migration or special measures for the reception of third-country nationals whose living conditions are affected by climate change or climate disasters. Italy is the only country with national legislation that provides for protection against catastrophic natural events, which may also apply to climate-related migration.