WG 1: The global context: climate-migration-displacement-health nexus

Climate change affects the health of migrants through multiple, interconnected pathways, depending on geographical and ecological conditions, as well as by political and socio-economic factors. This requires a comprehensive understanding of health vulnerabilities and risks along the migration route. This chapter seeks to answer the question: ‘How does a Whole-of-Route Approach support migrant and displaced population health within and across borders in the context of climate change?’, with the aim to conceptualize a Whole-of-Route Approach (WoRA) for the climate change-migration-health nexus at the global level, and illustrate its practical application through case studies based on literature reviews. The chapter will provide a practical conceptual framing for the WoRA through presenting five key principles, advancing a rights-based, equity-oriented conceptual model that reflects the complex realities of the health of migrant populations in the context of climate change. The WoRA framing emphasizes a continuous and integrated approach to health, along the pre-departure, transit, arrival, and return or resettlement continuum. To demonstrate the operational value of the WoRA, the chapter will include a series of case studies across countries and regions to illustrate the applicability of the WoRA for improving the health of migrants affected by climate change.

Director: Dr Santino Severoni

Co-coordinators: Dr Sylvia Garry and Dr Miriam Orcutt

Contact: orcuttm@who.int

WG 2: Current trends and projections of climate change, migration and displacement patterns to and within Europe

Migration decisions are shaped by a complex interplay of economic, political, demographic, social and environmental factors. Climate change acts as a stressor that amplifies these drivers, with existing vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities determining how populations respond.

This Working Group will examine how climate change influences patterns of migration into, within and out of Europe. It will consider both the origins of those migrating for climate-related reasons, the regional dynamics within Europe and its political and legal context. To illustrate these patterns, a set of case studies is being developed, focusing on:

Cross-border inflows from other regions of the world into Europe, such as Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where drought, desertification, and resource stress combine with political and economic pressures.

Intra-European movements, including displacement from floods and wildfires, rural-to-urban shifts linked to drought and agricultural decline, and heightened pressures in cities experiencing heat islands.

Outward mobility from Europe, such as retirement migration to climate-resilient regions, “elite climate migration,” and labour migration shaped by declining agricultural viability.

as well as other social and occupational dimensions, including gender, age, migrant status, and employment categories most affected by climate risks.

The aim is to develop a nuanced and illustrative picture of climate-related migration in diverse European settings and to provide policymakers—including Ministries of Health, Environment, and Finance; Parliamentarians; and the European Commission—with concrete policy and governance options, among others on integrating climate and migration policies, strengthening intersectional and regional cooperation, improving urban and spatial planning, and identifying priorities for future research in a field where data remain limited and the evidence base on effective measures is still weak.

The Working Group will apply a mixed-methods approach, combining a review of existing literature and policy documents with quantitative data on migration flows and climate impacts, and qualitative evidence from case studies and lived experiences. Through triangulation, the analysis is expected to generate context-specific insights and highlight particular patterns of climate-related migration. This should make it possible to identify emerging dynamics and point to the most relevant policy-relevant issues, despite existing data gaps.

Co-coordinators: Prof Raya Muttarak and Dr Roman Hoffmann

Contact: raya.muttarak@unibo.it

WG 3: Unmet migrant health needs in the context of climate change

Background:  The 2024 Europe Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change reports that 2023 has experienced record-breaking global temperatures. According to the report, temperatures are rising at twice the global average in Europe, posing significant health risks to populations and increasing health challenges across the continent. The report highlights that ethnic minority and Indigenous people, low-income communities, migrants and displaced individuals, sexual and gender minorities, and women experiencing pregnancy and childbirth are among the most vulnerable groups to the effects of climate change. There is also a pressing need for robust research to understand the unequal impacts of climate change.

Aim: This sub report aims to collect and compile information on the health needs of migrants in Europe as influenced by climate change. Our goal is to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the health needs of migrant populations, as emphasized in the 2024 Europe report of the Lancet Countdown.

Methods: To assess climate-induced issues, we utilize 14 out of 42 indicators from the 2024 Europe Lancet Countdown. These indicators track the impacts, exposures, and vulnerabilities of rising temperatures, extreme weather events, climate-sensitive infectious diseases, allergens, and food insecurity. We aim to compile findings from scientific articles that discuss how these indicators affect the health and health needs of European migrants, incorporating the social determinants of health in our analysis. We will conduct a scoping review to search the literature. Additionally, we will examine case studies of vulnerable groups in those parts of Europe that are worst impacted by climate change. A survey of key stakeholders at the intersection of health needs, migration, and climate change may also be included.

Results: A summary of the findings thus far from the Working Group will be presented, with a special emphasis on the mental health needs of migrants and the potential of digital interventions to address these needs.

Co-coordinators: Dr Shervin Shahnavaz, Professor Ozge Karadag, Professor Amirhossein Takian

Contact: shervin.shahnavaz@ki.se

WG 4: Adaptation strategies and responses to the effects of climate change on migrants’ health in Europe

This Working Group aims to gather evidence from the WHO European Region on policy and practical responses that consider the health of migrants subject to climate hazards in the region. The group is conducting a document review as well as a qualitative studies targeting urban migrant populations, clinicians, NGOs, civil society, UN agencies and governments, in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), and the University Hospital Group Paris Psychiatry & Neurosciences (GHU Paris). The data will inform the Commission’s report – expected mid-2026.

Co-coordinators: Dr Shilpa Rao and Professor Karl Blanchet

Contact: rosemary.james@unige.ch