¹ú²úAV

Geneva, 30 October 2021 - Internal displacement cannot take a backseat in climate discussions as world leaders, experts and civil society representatives gather in Glasgow for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as

In the lead up to this meeting, alarm bells about weather and climate extremes have been ringing without end in every region. Just this week, the World Meteorological Organization alerted that the world is from meeting the

For many people, these warnings are already a living reality of a nightmare. Surges of cyclones, heatwaves, droughts and flooding have devastated homes and livelihoods globally, leaving families and communities with little or no choice but to flee for safety. Already, some 20 to 25 million people are displaced internally by disasters each year. This number will however inevitably rise unless action is taken urgently and decisively.

Last month, the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement submitted its report, , to the UN Secretary-General, calling on collective action by governments, civil society, the international community including, in particular, the United Nations, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and the private sector to address the plight of internally displaced people (IDPs). Here are some of the recommendations put forward by the Panel to tackle climate change and disaster displacement head on:

First, the Panel echoes the call on States to take immediate action to prevent a further worsening of the global climate crisis. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement targets and working in solidarity with poorer nations to support them. After all, the worst affected countries are among the least responsible for the emissions driving climate change.

Second, the Panel encourages States to ensure that laws for disaster displacement are in place and to incorporate displacement risks – including the possibility of protracted displacement – more explicitly and proactively into disaster risk reduction plans and action.

Third, States should invest in resilience-building measures, such as micro-insurance schemes and social safety net programmes, that help populations to better cope with the adverse effects of climate change and protect their livelihoods. In this connection, the Panel calls for particular attention to the needs of indigenous persons, pastoralists and others with a special attachment to their lands.

Fourth, where no alternatives exist to mitigate the risk of harm and displacement, States should facilitate migration out of areas at high risk or undertake planned relocation with the consent and participation of affected communities

Fifth, Donors and Governments should invest in community-based prevention and preparedness initiatives, including early warning mechanisms and interventions that draw on local and indigenous knowledge.

Last but not least, the Panel has called for significantly more robust and effective financial investments to prevent and address disaster displacement. Funding for displacement-sensitive climate adaptation interventions is critical yet only 5 per cent of climate financing goes into adaptation. Further to this, climate and disaster funds, including the Green Climate Fund, are not currently oriented appropriately to address displacement prevention, and this must change.

The outcomes of COP26 will have lasting impacts on the lives of millions, for generations to come across all regions, and determine the fate of internal displacement. These issues are too important to overlook, and we must act now - together for our planet.