The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is calling for immediate and collective action to confront the unparalleled impact of climate change and its profound effects on displaced populations and their host communities at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai as nearly 60 percent of the world’s displaced find themselves in countries most vulnerable to the impact of climate change
In a statement Monday, the UN agency warned - throughout the world - the ripple effects of climate change intensify the hardship experienced by displaced communities. The convergence of conflict and climate change critically impedes their ability to secure safety, essential resources, and sustainable livelihoods.
“The climate emergency is punishing displaced people three times; It tears them from their homes, it compounds their crisis in exile and destroys their homeland, preventing them from returning,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
“This harsh reality highlights the way the climate emergency exacerbates displacement and human suffering.”
Climate change reveals a glaring injustice, as those who have contributed the least to environmental degradation suffer the most. A disturbing trend is that nearly 60 percent of the world's displaced people live in conflict-torn countries that are also most affected by the impacts of climate change, such as Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
"As we convene at COP28, prioritizing the plight of the most vulnerable is imperative. Our collective commitment to climate action must involve robust measures to protect those affected," Grandi said.
“The inclusion of those most affected is vital to our discussions and responses. The experiences and solutions of displaced communities deserve a significant place in the global climate discussion.”
UNHCR invites the global community to join hands in recognizing the resilience and agency of displaced individuals, urging the world to listen, learn and act collectively for a future where no one is left behind in the face of climate challenges.
As the international community grapples with a well-established scientific consensus and recognized solutions, the pace of change remains insufficient, UNHCR said. The UN agency urges a collective and bold call to action, demanding credible steps toward a sustainable future.
“The urgency cannot be overstated; immediate actions are crucial for displaced populations, who bear a disproportionate impact and urgently require accelerated efforts to address the environmental challenges they face every day,” the statement said.
Extreme weather events further exacerbate existing situations, especially in protracted complex emergencies related to armed conflict, hunger, poverty, and economic crises. It is the world's most vulnerable people who are most at risk from the climate crisis, although they have contributed least to its emergence.
However, the climate crisis not only compounds existing humanitarian emergencies. It is closely linked to the increase of humanitarian crises affecting many millions of people worldwide and posing immense challenges to the world. Devastating storms, floods, historic droughts, and extreme heat waves are killing people, destroying their livelihoods, causing hunger crises, and spreading disease.
One of the most tragic consequences of the climate emergency is the forced displacement and migration of people. Environmental changes, such as rising sea levels, loss of agricultural land, or droughts, force people to leave their homes. This leads to internal displacement, cross-border displacement or mass migration.
Hosting and assisting people who have crossed an international state border, due to natural disasters linked to the climate crisis, and climate migrants is an enormous challenge for which adequate international mechanisms do not yet exist.
Most people affected by acute climate-related disasters currently seek refuge within their own countries. 32.6 million internal displacements occurred last year due to natural disasters, more than half of all such displacements worldwide. Many people were forced to flee multiple times within their own countries.
The countries most affected were Pakistan (25 percent of internal displacement), the Philippines, China, India and Nigeria. The most common cause of displacement last year was flooding, followed by storms and droughts.
Further information
Full text: UNHCR calls for urgent global action at COP28, highlighting climate change’s impact on the displacement crisis, UNHCR press release, published December 4, 2023
https://www.unhcr.org/news/press-releases/unhcr-calls-urgent-global-action-cop28-highlighting-climate-change-s-impact