Session 5E asked whether and how nature can play a part in addressing drought, desertification, and related displacement and migration in the context of climate change.
The session was designed to drive discussion between different organisations – IFRC, IUCN, Kenya Red Cross and UNCCD – while also integrating inputs and ideas from the audience via chat sessions.
Some key messages:
• Desertification, land degradation and drought can lead to forced migration and displacement - especially of those already most marginalised and vulnerable.
• Environmentally induced migration is interwoven with the political, economic, and social drivers of displacement.
• Displacement on the one hand can relieve the burden by reducing the environmental impact on sensitive ecosystems, but on the other hand it can also result in the ecological footprint being exported elsewhere.
• To combat environmentally induced migration fragile ecosystems need to be restored and protected.