Navigating tensions in climate change-related planned relocation
AMBIO, vol. 53, pp. 1262–1266
Abstract
The planned relocation of communities away from areas of climate-related risk has emerged as a critical strategy to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Empirical examples from around the world show, however, that such relocations often lead to poor outcomes for affected communities. To address this challenge, and contribute to developing guidelines for just and sustainable relocation processes, this paper calls attention to three fundamental tensions in planned relocation processes: (1) conceptualizations of risk and habitability; (2) community consultation and ownership; and (3) siloed policy frameworks and funding mechanisms. Drawing on the collective experience of 29 researchers, policymakers and practitioners from around the world working on planned relocations in the context of a changing climate, we provide strategies for collectively and collaboratively acknowledging and navigating these tensions among actors at all levels, to foster more equitable and sustainable relocation processes and outcomes.
Authors 29
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Affiliation as printed
School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
South American Network for Environmental Migrations (RESAMA), São Paulo, Brazil
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Annah E. Piggott-McKellar corresponding
Queensland University of Technology · The University of Melbourne
Affiliation as printed
Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Melbourne University, Parkville, Australia. a.piggottmckellar@qut.edu.au
School of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. a.piggottmckellar@qut.edu.au
School of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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Wageningen University & Research
Affiliation as printed
Environmental Policy Group and the Sociology of Development and Change Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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University of Freiburg · La Trobe University
Affiliation as printed
Chair Group of Geography of Global Change, Institute of Environmental Social Sciences and Geography, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
Department of Social Inquiry, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
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Philipps University of Marburg · United Nations University · Institute for Environment and Human Security
Affiliation as printed
Department of Geography, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, Bonn, Germany
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University of Exeter · United Nations University · Institute for Environment and Human Security
Affiliation as printed
Department of Geography, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, Bonn, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Research Program, East-West Centre, Honolulu, HI, USA
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Federal University of Technology · University of the Witwatersrand
Affiliation as printed
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
School of Architecture and Planning, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Geography, Assane Seck University, Ziguinchor, Senegal
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Affiliation as printed
Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Affiliation as printed
Platform On Disaster Displacement Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Geography, King's College London, London, UK
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Affiliation as printed
Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Society, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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United Nations University · Institute for Environment and Human Security
Affiliation as printed
United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, Bonn, Germany
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Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Affiliation as printed
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Tehran, Iran
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California Polytechnic State University
Affiliation as printed
Social Sciences Department, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
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Affiliation as printed
Climate Desk, Parliament of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
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United Nations University · Institute for Environment and Human Security
Affiliation as printed
United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, Bonn, Germany
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Lowy Institute for International Policy
Affiliation as printed
Indo-Pacific Development Centre, Lowy Institute, Sydney, Australia
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United Nations University · Institute for Environment and Human Security
Affiliation as printed
United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, Bonn, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
School of Psychology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Independent University, Bangladesh
Affiliation as printed
Department of Law, Independent University, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Affiliation as printed
Climate Change Department, National Disaster Management Organization, Accra, Ghana
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Affiliation as printed
International School On Climate Migration and Earth Refuge, London, UK
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Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Affiliation as printed
Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Regional Asia Pacific Office, Jakarta, Indonesia
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, USA
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United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Affiliation as printed
United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, Nairobi, Kenya
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Geography, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Affiliation as printed
School of the Environment, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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