Climate change and planned relocation: Risks and a proposal for safeguards

Abstract

Natural disasters and slow onset degradation due to climate and environmental change often cause sudden displacement and uncontrolled autonomous mass migration. Planned relocation is increasingly discussed as a policy response to prevent those perceived threats. Based on the analysis of three Environmental Change and Forced Migration Scenarios (EACH-FOR) case studies and existing literature on relocations in the context of development planning this contribution elaborates on the risks and pitfalls of planned relocation for the livelihoods of those subject to resettlement. Subsequently the question is raised as to how people can be protected from the shortfalls of relocation. Human rights-based approaches are recommended and discussed.