Our changing climate is having a significant impact on life and livelihoods all over the world: storms, rising sea levels, desertification, droughts and flooding are occurring more frequently and with increased intensity. These changes are affecting people everywhere, but in developing countries the consequences are often more severe than in wealthy ones.
While overall migration figures are similar to what they were in 2000, the proportion of migrants in high-income countries has risen considerably. In 2016, more than 24 million people were displaced by sudden-onset climate-related hazards such as storms and floods, and the ten largest displacement events were climate-related. At the same time, we have seen an increase in conflicts in some of the most climate-sensitive parts of the world, such as the Sahel and the Arab States, leading to discussions about the role of climate in driving insecurity.
Join UNDP and Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation in examining the effect of climate change on the movement of people and on insecurity: How does climate interact with existing vulnerabilities and risks? Can we attribute migration and displacement to climate change? And can we do the same with regard to conflict and insecurity? How is Sweden affected, and what role does Sweden play in tackling these issues?
At this event, Jan Kellet, Special Advisor for External Engagement on climate, disaster and energy at UNDP presented the report Climate change, Migration and Displacement: the need for a risk-informed and coherent approach, which was followed by commentary from the other speakers and a panel discussion.
Speakers
- Ulrika Modéer, State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate
- Jan Kellett, Special Advisor for External Engagement on Climate, Disaster and Energy, UNDP
- Aliou Dia, Regional Team Leader for Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction and Energy at UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
The discussion was moderated by Henrik Hammargren, Executive Director of the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation.
The event forms part of the seminar series “Implementing Agenda 2030”, jointly organised by the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation and UNDP Sweden.