The Link Between Migration, The Environment, and Climate Change

Climate change is having a significant impact on human mobility since it has intensified vulnerabilities, triggered displacement, and reshaped migration patterns more comprehensively and noticeably across the globe. In terms of addressing environmental challenges, it is vital and strategic for migration governance to meet the contemporary needs of affected populations. Climate change through slow-onset processes like droughts and sea-level rise, as well as sudden events such as storms and floods has influenced both voluntary and forced migration, often intersecting with economic, political, social, and cultural factors. These interconnections complicate the management of climate-induced migration. Integrated policy approaches are enhancing the ability to use migration as both a coping mechanism and an adaptation strategy, while also addressing the plight of “trapped populations” unable to relocate. Evidence shows that climate impacts frequently drive rural-to-urban movement, although patterns vary by region with no single link to specific hazards. Through effective regional cooperation, robust data, and context-specific planning, governments may now better address the governance of climate-induced mobility. This chapter illustrates the principles and strategies required to connect adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and migration governance as part of a comprehensive approach to sustainable development.