Environmental migration and development policy

Understanding of the complex relationship between international migration and development has increased greatly over recent years. It is high on the current international agenda, with the second United Nations General Assembly High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development having been held in October 2013, and ongoing discussions in regard to including migration within the post-2015 development framework process. In parallel, the challenges posed by climate change for development are increasingly understood, such as the impact of recurrent disasters on GDP. However, the nexus linking climate change, migration and development has received far less attention, particularly in regard to internal migration dynamics within developing countries. Rural–urban migration within developing countries poses a major challenge for cities already struggling to accommodate natural population growth, and it is expected that climate change will increase rural–urban flows.

Related Subject(s): Environment and Climate Change