Climate Change Related Mobility

Disasters such as hurricanes and floods (sudden onset crisis) can directly cause displacement, while trends such as sea level rise and coastal erosion (slow onset crisis) have more gradual effects, but still contribute to transform migration and displacement patterns.

People in vulnerable situations are particularly exposed to the effects of climate change, whereby those relying on climate-sensitive livelihoods are most affected. Migrants and forcibly displaced persons often settle in more climate vulnerable areas such as refugee camps, in informal urban settlements lacking infrastructure and prone to climate risks.

In turn, migration and displacement can also have impacts on climate change and the environment. Labour migration can for example help accelerate the green transition in destination countries and remittances support adaptation plans.

SDC's Engagement

The SDC’s operational engagement can be categorized along three areas of work. To support adaptation in place, the SDC is committed to disaster risk reduction and to strengthen the resilience of climate change affected communities by developing robust infrastructure in climatically vulnerable areas and by diversifying livelihoods.

The SDC further supports forcibly displaced due to natural disasters or those compelled to move due to slow onset effects of climate change by providing emergency assistance or by supporting the enhancement of coherent policies, including safe and regular migration pathways.

The SDC also support affected communities in their socio-economic inclusion through durable solution and inclusive urban expansion planning programs.