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Prioritizing involuntary immobility in climate policy and disaster planning
Lisa Thalheimer1,2, Fabien Cottier3, Andrew Kruczkiewicz4,5
1International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria. thalheimer@iiasa.ac.at.
Nature Communications
|March 16, 2025
Summary
Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, causing involuntary immobility. Policy and planning must address these risks, integrating climate action and migration strategies to reduce harm.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Sociology
- Climate Policy
Background:
- Growing global populations reside in climate change-vulnerable areas.
- Certain populations face involuntary immobility due to lack of agency to relocate.
- Current climate policy and disaster planning inadequately address the risks of involuntary immobility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the risks of involuntary immobility caused by climate change.
- To advocate for policy and planning that addresses the needs of immobile populations.
- To propose integrating involuntary immobility into sustainable development goals.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on climate change impacts and population displacement.
- Analysis of existing climate policy and disaster management frameworks.
- Conceptual framework development for integrating immobility into sustainable development.
Main Results:
- Involuntary immobility is a significant, underaddressed consequence of climate change.
- Lack of data should not impede governmental and institutional action.
- Policy inaction exacerbates climate risks for immobile populations.
Conclusions:
- Addressing involuntary immobility is crucial for climate justice and effective adaptation.
- Integrating involuntary immobility into sustainable development goals (SDGs) can mitigate risks.
- Coordinated efforts in climate action and migration policies are essential.
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