idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Nachrichten, Termine, Experten

Grafik: idw-Logo
Grafik: idw-Logo

idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft

Science Video Project
idw-Abo

idw-News App:

AppStore

Google Play Store



Instance:
Share on: 
03/17/2025 10:23

Addressing the needs of vulnerable populations unable to move away from climate risk areas

Ansa Heyl Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

    People in informal settlements, urban deprived areas, refugee camps, prisons, and war zones can be particularly vulnerable to climate threats and natural hazards. A new study, led by IIASA researchers, explores how policymakers can ease their burden.

    Climate change and extreme weather events can act as drivers of migration. However, in some contexts, they can also render people unable to leave despite a desire to do so. In a new study, published in Nature Communications, IIASA scientists and their colleagues from other institutions argue that those “trapped populations” require tailored policies to reduce climate risk and either help them adapt in their given location, or ensure that their migration aspirations are met.

    “Involuntarily immobile populations are large and varied in their exposure to different threats,” explains Lisa Thalheimer, a researcher in the IIASA Migration and Sustainable Development Research Group and lead author of the study. “Cultural and legal barriers, limited access to humanitarian assistance, and other constraints, such as conflict and poverty, make the livelihoods of such populations particularly vulnerable to climate-induced threats — droughts, heatwaves, sea level rise, etc.”

    In their study, the researchers highlight a number of case studies, reflecting the striking political and legal barriers to migration faced by vulnerable populations. One of the most obvious examples is the involuntary immobility of the Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh, living in some of the most densely populated areas in the world while facing high levels of landslide exposure, as well as a high risk of coastal and inland flooding.

    In addition, they address the fact that current climate mobility research is largely focused on mobile populations, excluding those unable or unwilling to move. Thus, due to the lack of data, it can be extremely difficult for policymakers to develop policies tailored to the needs of those people. Seeking to address this problem, the scientists drew up a set of comprehensive recommendations, which could help policymakers stimulate positive change. Those include:

    • Conducting a systematic review of affected communities and their ability to adapt, relocate, and mitigate the impact of natural hazards and climate change in their given location;
    • Establishing a global involuntary immobility support mechanism;
    • Identifying the key drivers of involuntary immobility that make marginalized populations even more vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change impacts, as well as ensuing their inclusion in data collection processes.

    "By focusing on involuntary immobility in climate and disaster risk policies, we gain a deeper understanding of how climate variability, climate change, and extreme weather events impact vulnerable populations. This understanding is critical for developing strategies that reduce disaster risk in various types of communities across various levels of socioeconomic conditions, within mobility contexts," concludes Andrew Kruczkiewicz, a lecturer at Columbia University and another lead author of the study.

    This study is a collaborative effort between scientists from IIASA and universities in Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the US including: Columbia University, ETH Zürich, Mississippi State University, Montana State University, Oregon State University, Stanford University, the United Nations University, University of Canterbury, and University of Twente.

    It is based on a large group exploratory dialogue — a World Café event held during the 2023 Managed Retreat Conference at Columbia University, involving 53 participants from policy and research.

    Reference:
    Thalheimer, L., Cottier, F., Kruczkiewicz, A., Hultquist, C., Tuholske, C., Benveniste, H., Freihardt, J., Hemmati, M., et al. (2025). Prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planning. Nature Communications DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57679-9

    About IIASA:
    The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) is an international scientific institute that conducts research into the critical issues of global environmental, economic, technological, and social change that we face in the twenty-first century. Our findings provide valuable options to policymakers to shape the future of our changing world. IIASA is independent and funded by prestigious research funding agencies in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. www.iiasa.ac.at


    Contact for scientific information:

    Lisa Thalheimer
    Research Scholar
    Migration and Sustainable Development Research Group
    Population and Just Societies Program
    thalheimer@iiasa.ac.at

    Ansa Heyl
    IIASA Press Office
    Tel: +43 2236 807 574
    Mob: +43 676 83 807 574
    heyl@iiasa.ac.at


    Original publication:

    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57679-9.epdf?sharing_token=gRLybQcqoz...


    More information:

    https://iiasa.ac.at/news/mar-2025/addressing-needs-of-vulnerable-populations-una...


    Images

    Criteria of this press release:
    Journalists, all interested persons
    Environment / ecology, Social studies
    transregional, national
    Research results
    English


     

    Help

    Search / advanced search of the idw archives
    Combination of search terms

    You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.

    Brackets

    You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).

    Phrases

    Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.

    Selection criteria

    You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).

    If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).