Knowledge Platform on People on the Move in a Changing Climate
IOM Outlook on Migration, Environment and Climate Change aims to bring together in one easy-to-access reference document the knowledge accrued by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and to present IOM’s role, understanding and approach to environmental migration.
Climate change and environmental degradation are predicted to displace millions of people in the coming years, either directly or indirectly. This will lead to situations wherein the human rights of such populations could be threatened.
The environment has always been a driver of migration, as people flee to survive natural disasters or, faced with harsh and deteriorating environmental conditions, move to seek opportunities elsewhere. Climate change is expected to exacerbate sudden- and slow-onset disasters and gradual environmental degradation. Through these impacts, climate change is already influencing migration around the world.