Type

Report

Author

Warner, K.

Title

Migration and displacement in the context of adaptation to climate change: ladevelopments in the UNFCCC climate negotiations and potential for future action

Year

2011

Publisher

Government Office for Science UK

Abstract

This paper explores how human migration and displacement has recently entered into the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) climate negotiations. Two overarching strands of discussion have emerged about the impacts of climate change on human society in recent years (section 1). The interaction of these two strands has helped shape the framing of human migration and displacement and its first ever appearance in an agreed outcome of a Conference of the Parties (COP) – in the Cancun Adaptation Framework, agreed at COP16 (December 2010). This paper describes a process that framed migration as a technical (rather than political) and legitimate part of a wider adaptation framework (Section 2). Section 3 explores the perspectives of different groups of Parties (countries) and their interaction with researchers and operational organisations to bring the topic into negotiating text from 2008 onwards. The paper further assesses the subparagraph 14(f) on migration and displacement in the Cancun Adaptation Framework. The paper examines the range of possible activities that may take shape in the future both within the emerging climate adaptation regime (including the Adaptation Committee and with climate finance) and in bilateral and other policy arenas (section 4). The final section of this paper draws conclusions and reflects on policy implications for research and practice (section 5).

Citation

Warner, K. (2011). Migration and displacement in the context of adaptation to climate change: ladevelopments in the UNFCCC climate negotiations and potential for future action. London : Government Office for Science UK.