Evaluating migration as successful adaptation to climate change: Trade-offs in well-being, equity, and sustainability
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CelPress
Abstract
The role of migration as one potential adaptation to climate change is increasingly recognized, but little is
known about whether migration constitutes successful adaptation, under what conditions, and for whom.
Based on a review of emerging migration science, we propose that migration is a successful adaptation to
climate change if it increases well-being, reduces inequality, and promotes sustainability. Well-being, equity,
and sustainability represent entry points for identifying trade-offs within and across different social and tem poral scales that could potentially undermine the success of migration as adaptation. We show that assess ment of success at various scales requires the incorporation of consequences such as loss of population in
migration source areas, climate risk in migration destination, and material and non-material flows and eco nomic synergies between source and destination. These dynamics and evaluation criteria can help make
migration visible and tractable to policy as an effective adaptation option
Description
Research Article
Keywords
migration, climate change, sustainability