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UK Government Foresight findings - an initial response from Defending Rights Project Manager, Hannah Smith
The UK Government’s Foresight Team has released findings of a two year project on global environmental change and migration. With 350 experts contributing to the 200 page report, Environmental Change: Future Challenges and 
Opportunities is a weighty contribution to the existing evidence base. What’s clear is that environmental change is influencing migration patterns and that a failure to recognise this puts significant numbers at risk of displacement, or of becoming ‘trapped’. Too little attention is paid to those who do not have the resources to move. This is a useful reminder that we must not forget those who remain in environmental vulnerable areas.
Opportunities is a weighty contribution to the existing evidence base. What’s clear is that environmental change is influencing migration patterns and that a failure to recognise this puts significant numbers at risk of displacement, or of becoming ‘trapped’. Too little attention is paid to those who do not have the resources to move. This is a useful reminder that we must not forget those who remain in environmental vulnerable areas. We have for too long, the study highlights, perceived migration as a problem to be managed. Rather migration is an essential strategy for people to utilise as they face worsening conditions. As a colleague points out this narrative isn’t new. Migration and development experts have been long been aware that migration and remittances can help build resilience in vulnerable communities and households. What is new is that amidst the dearth of global leadership on this issue we have a fairly progressive line from government; I’m warned that once I’ve read the small print I may feel less at ease. Of particular concern is the absence of a rights based approach to analysis. A quick search by a colleague at the Environmental Justice Foundation reveals only 5 references to human rights. For now though I’m pleased to see a headline message on facilitating movement, I’m pleased to see recognition for the need to close protection gaps and I’m pleased to see a clear message that the time to act on this is now. A door to influencing UK policy on this matter has opened.
What these findings mean for government policy remains unclear. The overtone is that this is an issue for DFID. The 3-page Action Plan which accompanies the new report says little more under UK Action Points than DFID will read this report. I’m left puzzled as to why the team published the Action Plan at all. Regardless the report and the media frenzy it has generated makes UK Climate Change and Migration Coalition’s event series all the more timely. This is on the agenda and it may be up us to make sure the report isn’t consigned to the dusty shelves of academia.
The UKCCMC is running a series of events over the next month. Kicking off next week with a private screening of Si le vent souleve les sables (Sounds of Sand) and panel discussion next Thursday.
Date: 27th October 2011
Location: Hub Islington, Candid Arts Trust, 5 Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NQ
Time: 6:30pm-9pm
Cost: £6/£3 concession
To book your place email: DRintern@coinet.org.uk
Details on the full series can be found here: http://t.co/aWo61ijb