Climate migration is considered the – human face – of climate change, reflecting the direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of those affected.
A new report released by the world Bank reveals that the climate crisis could result in the internal migration of approximately 216 million people in six regions of the world by 2050. According to the study entitled “Groundswell 2.0”, the migratory movement resulting from climate change should begin to intensify at the end of this decade and reach its peak in the next 20 years, unless effective measures are adopted to combat global warming.
The report highlights that immediate actions to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and promote the development of sustainable projects around the world can reduce the number of people forced to migrate internally by up to 80%.
In the worst-case scenario estimated by the researchers, the sub-Saharan Africa region could face the internal displacement of up to 86 million people if the consequences of climate change are not mitigated. In East Asia and the Pacific, that number could be as high as 49 million. The study classifies the most affected regions as follows: South Asia (40 million), North Africa (19 million), Latin America (17 million) and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (5 million).
To avoid the expected increase in internal migration, the World Bank recommends that countries adopt measures to reduce global emissions and strive to meet the targets set in the Paris Agreement, which aim to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C. The World Bank also emphasizes the importance of incorporating domestic climate change into public policies and planning for sustainable, green and inclusive development.
The World Bank report is one of the first studies to estimate internal migration in six regions of the world. However, it is important to note that it does not cover most high-income countries such as Europe and North America, nor does it include the Middle East and small island developing countries.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) emphasizes that forced migration should be considered as a last resort and that relevant human rights principles, such as freedom and informed consent of those affected, should be carefully considered. The World Bank stresses that for these operations to be effective, meaningful participation by all is essential, as well as fair compensation and guarantees of rights to an adequate standard of living, including housing and effective solutions.
The World Bank report serves as an urgent wake-up call to the need for concrete, collaborative action to tackle climate change and mitigate the impacts it has on the most vulnerable communities. It is essential to adopt policies and practices that prioritize human rights and guarantee the protection of people affected by the increasingly serious consequences of the climate crisis.
