International Migration, Environment and Sustainable Development

Transcription

1 International Migration, Environment and Sustainable Development G. M. Arif Joint Director Pakistan Institute of Development Economics Islamabad

2 Sustainable development The concept of sustainable development the choices of the present generation are enlarged without restricting the choices of future generation implies two issues. (i) enlargement of human choices at any point would depend on economic, political, social, and environmental contexts. (ii) the concept of sustainability is a dynamic intergenerational notion

3 Migration and Environment The relationship between migration and environment is complex and interwoven with other socio-economic factors Some estimates indicate that extreme weather events (floods, heat waves) and environmental degradation (desertification, soil erosion): may move, or permanently displace, from 50 million to 350 million people by But, different climate change scenarios are likely to generate vastly different migration outcomes The numbers of people becoming immobilized by climate change, as their resources and ability to move dwindle. Vulnerable and socially marginalized groups, such as the poor, children, women, and older persons tend to be the most vulnerable to environmental hazards.

4 Environment and Migration: Short-term vs long term; Direct/indirect Climate change (a rise of sea level, drought and desertification) and migration Extreme weather events also increase the vulnerability of certain population inducement migration Sudden disaster (flood, earthquake) and migration Slow-onset environmental degradation- reduce economic opportunities-indirect cause of migration Climate change, conflict and migration

5 Complexity of Environmental Migration Environmental migration is often the result of a complex set of multiple pressure of which an environmental event is only the proximate cause Composition and direction will be shaped by many elements: predisposing conditions of the biophysical environments; structural constraints; facilitating factors; precipitating events; and the feedback effects of the migration. Bulk of migration caused by environmental change has occurred within national boundaries, although the international dimension is of increasing scale and significance.

6 Two perspectives on Environment and Migration The minimalists Environment should first be seen as a contextual factor in the decision to migration - move for economic, social and political reasons. Natural disasters and climate change push factors Economic opportunities and network pull factors The maximalists insecurity caused by environmental factors.

7 Migration as a failure of adaptation Migrants move because of they could not adopt, not as a result of choice forced migrants (climate refugees) very rare and unique cause of migration Environmental degradation will lead to an increase of the proportion of people who decide to migrate but distinction between climate change & economic migrants is difficult Migration can exacerbate degradation in places of origin, as those left behind are exposed to more vulnerability, livelihood deterioration and poverty.

8 Migration as adaptation Climate migration could also be monitored as part of adaptation strategies. Not forced but voluntary Not reactive but preventive Not precipitated, but anticipated Not inflicted on public authorities

9 Migration a way to cope with a change in environmental conditions Low-lying islands developing states such as Tuvalu and Maldives technology for adaptation would have extensive costs that a developing state may not be able to afford Maldives promote internal migration to facilitate population Papua new Guinea Relocation programs Migration and mountain regions Seasonal migration to overcome credit and insurance market failure and invest in agropastoral activities in the semi-arid tropics

10 Summary Strongly Interlinked Pillars for EIM and Sustainable Development Economic pillar poverty eradication and maximization of well being Social pillar the issue of equity The environmental pillar conservation and enhancement of the physical and biological resource base and ecosystems

11 Recommendations There is a need to mainstream migration into disaster risk reduction strategies and National Adaptation Plans of Action to build resilience against environmental impacts There is a need for a coherent migration policy in the context of climate change and environment - national migration policies need to be made an integral part of strategies for sustainable development and poverty reduction