Understanding human mobility in the global climate regime through a translocal lens

Abstract

This paper examines how a translocal approach could enrich conceptualisations of human mobility in the context of the current climate regime. Drawing on the concept of ‘translocal legalities’, it is argued that a socio-legal and translocal analysis could inform the existing analyses of climate-related mobility. Through the case of post-cyclone Idai relocations in Mozambique, it demonstrates the need to capture multi-faced and multi-level aspects of climate-related mobility. This involves different degrees of adaptation but also inevitable losses and damages that defy conventional categorisation into economic or non-economic. A translocal approach, which is empirically grounded in local realities, but also takes into account national and international level developments, can enable a more nuanced understanding of climate-related relocations. It provides insights into both the adaptation and loss and damage aspects in their full complexities and thereby brings about a more informed perspective on human mobility in the current climate regime.