Climate-related human mobility planning

The link between climate change and human mobility has increasingly become an area of ​​interest for research and policy making

The link between climate change and human mobility has increasingly become an area of ​​interest for researchers and policy makers in countries around the world. Climate change is transforming the way people live, work and move, and its impacts are shaping and influencing patterns of migration, disaster displacement and planned resettlement. Heat, droughts, floods, storms, landslides and long-term processes such as sea-level rise and increases in agricultural pests and diseases affect human mobility directly or indirectly, ranging from seasonal rural migration to disaster displacement and from employment abroad to relocation. from high risk areas.

Human mobility is a complex, cross-sectoral and highly context-specific phenomenon that can have positive or negative consequences. In some cases, it can become a successful adaptation measure or contribute to long-term resilience by diversifying income sources, reducing exposure to hazards or facilitating the exchange of knowledge, skills and market access; in other cases, mobility can be a form of loss and damage and can result in the loss of property, livelihoods, health, social cohesion, sense of place, cultural heritage and ecosystems.

Human mobility affects not only migrants or displaced persons, but also host communities and those left behind, who are in many cases women and children. Depending on the circumstances and the support received, human mobility can be a successful adaptation strategy or it can negatively affect the physical health, mental health, social cohesion, livelihoods and well-being of individuals, households and communities. It is therefore vital to incorporate mobility considerations into various policy and planning processes – including local climate change adaptation planning at all administrative levels – to strengthen the enabling environment and design interventions that are context-specific, locally driven and fit for purpose.

The role of local adaptation planning

Similar to human mobility, adaptation to climate change in general is highly context-specific and depends on a range of geographic, socioeconomic, cultural and environmental factors. In 2016, Sri Lanka completed its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for the impacts of climate change and submitted it to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as one of the first countries in the world. As part of the NAP implementation process, the country also develops Provincial Adaptation Plans (PAPs) to localize national actions and implement them at provincial and local levels.

Local adaptation planning is essential to address the impacts of climate change on human mobility and to integrate mobility as part of a broader strategy to build resilience to climate change. Such planning must be proactive and take into account the complex realities of human mobility and its diverse forms and patterns, which can vary greatly by duration, distance, direction, choice, reason, demographic profile and agency.

Effective local adaptation planning begins with a comprehensive assessment of climate risks and the existing vulnerability of populations at different scales. Identifying high-risk areas and areas most vulnerable to sea-level rise, extreme weather events and other climate impacts is important for anticipating future migration or displacement patterns and informing adaptation strategies, enabling local authorities to prepare accordingly .

Similarly, these assessments can also provide a basis for decision-making processes regarding planned resettlement, which can be a complex process that requires careful planning and community involvement. Relocated populations from high-risk areas need access to, among other things, adequate housing, livelihoods, education and healthcare in their new locations. Moreover, host communities must be equipped to accommodate incoming populations without overwhelming local resources or causing negative environmental or social impacts.

Integrating human mobility into local planning requires the availability of disaggregated data as well as effective coordination between different sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, human settlements, infrastructure, transport, health, labor or social protection. As there is a wide range of actors and stakeholders, local planning processes should also include their voices and reflect local needs and priorities, consistent with global and national policy processes.

There are many potential actions related to human mobility that can be incorporated into a local adaptation plan, such as increased protection of migrants and displaced people, support for climate-resilient livelihoods, infrastructure development, economic diversification, capacity building , training or risk management. . Local adaptation planning should prioritize effective actions that are specific to the local context and provide a roadmap for investment and support, while safeguarding equity, inclusion and the needs of vulnerable groups and communities.

Looking ahead

As the impacts of climate change intensify, communities and economic sectors in Sri Lanka will increasingly face the prospect of moving in response. From coastal displacement due to sea level rise to rural migration driven by drought, human mobility should be part of the country’s adaptation planning at both national and local levels. By improving coordination, building capacity and creating knowledge about these issues, local and national plans can help develop financial and technical resources for adaptation and foster collaboration between different levels and actors, including regional and global.

Sri Lanka has the opportunity to integrate human mobility into its local adaptation plans to proactively address issues and use opportunities, reducing vulnerability, protecting livelihoods and building long-term resilience both in the mobility areas of origin, as well as destination. The country’s experience with climate-related human mobility and local adaptation planning could provide a valuable case study to identify good practices and success stories, as well as challenges to overcome.

(The writer works as Director: Research & Knowledge Management at SLYCAN Trust, a non-profit think tank based in Sri Lanka. His work focuses on climate change, adaptation, resilience, ecosystem conservation, just transition, human mobility and a range of He holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Cologne, Germany and is a regular contributor to several international and local media outlets.)