Toward successful integration of climate immigrants: Lessons learned from the good practice of the City of Vienna

Abstract

Climate change will force people to move across national borders. This study analyzes the experience of the City of Vienna. While the federal government has continuously adopted less tolerant policies for immigrants, the City of Vienna has accepted them with firm political initiative. It has implemented various measures to effectively include immigrants into the society in cooperation with many stakeholders. In particular, "Integration from day one" and Start Coaching Vienna are unique attempts to help immigrants to promptly adapt to the society. Local governments will have to accommodate people when they are forced to immigrate due to climate change. Integrating them will be one of the most important adaptation measures for local governments. Experiences of the City of Vienna provide useful lessons for local governments.