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IOM’s objectives concerning migration, environment and climate change are:

• To prevent forced migration that results from environmental factors to the extent possible;
• To provide assistance and protection to affected populations when forced migration does occur in situations of environmental and climate change, and to seek durable solutions to their situation;
• To facilitate migration in the context of climate change adaptation and enhance the resilience of affected communities.

This document uses the encompassing terminology “environmental migration” and “environmental migrants” to refer to movements occurring in the context of environmental changes, including climate change, as well as the terms “climate migration” and “climate migrants” to specifically designate movements occurring in the context of climate change.

The document was submitted at the request of the Committee on the European Union Home Affairs Sub-Committee and was prepared by the Migration, Environment and Climate Change Division and the International Migration Law Division, IOM Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.