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The first-time-ever agreed-upon text on migration, displacement, and planned relocation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate negotiations process was informed by recent empirical research, and will shape how human mobility is dealt with under adaptation. Migration, displacement, and planned relocation feature in the text of the Cancun Adaptation Framework as technical cooperation issues which highlight activities that help to guide adaptation funding. Human mobility in the UNFCCC context is distinct from other policy fora—like international protocols and expanding mandates of existing frameworks such as the 1951 Geneva Convention. Operationally oriented solutions and discussions are moving forward in a UNFCCC process through the Cancun Adaptation Framework [paragraph 14(f)], the Climate Finance and the Adaptation Committee, and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation's Work Program on Loss and Damage. These and other policy processes catalyze nationally and regionally driven work on the topics of migration, displacement, and planned relocation in the context of climate change.

Immigration gains a new dimension when climate and/or environmental change contribute to migration. This article defines and explores concepts related to environmentally induced migration, analyses the relevant policies or lack thereof, and suggests ways to bridge the policy gaps that exist in this area. Environmental events or changes are categorised into rapid- or slow-onset processes, and policies for and responses to each category are further explored and explained. Although some regions are equipped to handle an influx of migrants due to these particular circumstances, the majority of regions investigated have policies that can only partially respond to this phenomenon.

In response to the urgent need to develop a policy-oriented global research agenda to address climate change the UN University Institute for Environment & Human Security, the International Organization for Migration, & the UN Environment Program brought together experts to assess current knowledge & identify research priority areas in three key areas: measurement/identification; interactions/linkages; & scenarios/policy. Four imperatives for further work on environmental migration were identified: 1) a systematic review of available research; 2) a global multi-disciplinary research program; 3) information/knowledge management; & 4) capacity-building projects. Adapted from the source document.

Describes the Environmental Change & Forced Scenarios project sponsored by the European Commission to assess the impact of environmental change on local, national, regional, & international migration. Fieldwork conducted in 22 case study locations in six regions of the world addressed such issues as who is migrating, where they are coming from, where they are going, the role environmental degradation or climate change played in the migration, & the impact of social, economic, & political factors. Special attention is given to flooding & displacement in both Mozambique & Vietnam. Adapted from the source document.