Climate Manifesto:
Policies to deliver action and justice

Recognition of the links between climate breakdown and migration

Put in place a package of measures to recognise and provide support to people displaced by  climate change, within the limits of devolved powers but showing global leadership.

We have always moved. Migration is an inseparable part of human history: the Scottish diaspora is a well-known example. 

Yet today, in addition to those displaced by war, violence, persecution and  human rights abuses (all of which may be exacerbated by increasing climate stress), we are witnessing increasing numbers of people displaced by climate change-related impacts including extreme weather, drought or sea-level rise, and they are fleeing Global South countries who did least to contribute towards these impacts.  

People on the move systematically face violence throughout their migration journeys, and around 80% of climate displaced people are women.⁶⁵  Yet instead of receiving support, UK (and EU) immigration policy has increased militarisation of border control and  to criminalise and detain refugees.  It is hard not to conclude that this is partly because governments understand that the climate breakdown and ecosystem damage – which privileged countries are causing and have historically caused – are driving growing numbers of people to try to move from unlivable to liveable climate zones.

Within areas of devolved power, we welcome the continuation of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy.⁶⁶ The Scottish Government should:

1. make a public commitment to a humane migration policy that supports the right to move and right to stay and against border militarisation, recognising that the most marginalised communities are on the front line of the climate crisis and often face its worst impacts, and challenging ‘migrant crisis’ narratives
2. accelerate the scale and implementation of the Climate Justice Fund and Loss and Damage Fund; recognising Scotland’s historic role in climate breakdown and ensuring countries and communities on the frontlines are able to adapt and thrive
3. promote peaceful, rights-based approaches to migration at origin, transit and destination: this could be a major strand of work for the proposed Peace Institute for Scotland, but should also be supported by strong public messaging
4. open up and co-create, for example with the Scottish Refugee Council and City of Sanctuary, spaces of imagination and possibility to gain new perspectives on migration and mobility
5. take higher-profile action to tackle structural violence, counter hate speech and safeguard the rights of migrants who have arrived in Scotland, whether asylum seekers or recognised/resettled refugees 
6. reflecting reserved powers, the Scottish Government should call on the UK Government to 
   1. support safe and equitable migration systems
   2. counter hate speech and safeguard the rights of migrants according to international law

For further information:

• Climate change exacerbates violence against women and girls, UN OHCHR, 2022, https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2022/07/climate-change-exacerbates-violence-against-women-and-girls 
• Climate and migrant justice, Climate Justice Coalition, 2024, https://climatejustice.uk/migrantjustice/