Climate change is impacting the lives and livelihoods of people around the world and is one of the greatest challenges of our time, requiring urgent collective action. 

Diaspora groups are powerhouses of innovation in their countries of residence and origin. Their contribution, for example through remittances, direct investment, philanthropy and skills transfer, is widely recognised. They are also among the first to respond when a disaster strikes in their countries of origin, but governments are yet to develop frameworks, policies and programmes that can unlock diasporas’ global connections and potential in accelerating climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Diaspora groups have the knowledge, skills, and global connections that are crucial to accelerate climate action in their countries of origins and on a larger scale. 

The UK is home to some of the largest diaspora communities worldwide and to help leverage this untapped potential, IOM UK launches the Diaspora for Climate Action (D4C) project. The project will enable diaspora members to build connections with key stakeholders in BangladeshGhana, Jamaica and Moldova that can help them achieve more effective and coordinated climate action, and greater and longer-lasting impacts on climate-vulnerable populations. 

These four countries are all significantly affected by the negative impacts of climate change, and the challenges they face require immediate and effective responses and mobilization of resources from a variety of stakeholders.

This initiative is funded by IOM Development Fund, working with IOM missions and relevant ministries in these four countries, and will contribute to government efforts to address the adverse impacts of climate change and promote sustainable development. D4C aims to create a model for other countries to promote the unique role diaspora can play in shaping national climate action policies and interventions alongside governments and other actors.

For information on the D4C project please contact Martina Castiglioni, mcastiglioni@iom.int; or Shuva Thapa, shuthapa@iom.int


IOM defines Diaspora as ‘Migrants or descendants of migrants whose identity and sense of belonging, either real or symbolic, have been shaped by their migration experience and background. They maintain links with their homelands, and to each other, based on a shared sense of history, identity, or mutual experiences in the destination country’ (IOM Glossary, 2019).


 

The first national dialogue took place in Ghana on 25th July 2024. National dialogues in Bangladesh, Ghana, Jamaica and Moldova in late summer 2024 will provide a platform to explore collaborations between UK-based diasporas and a wide range of national stakeholders in climate action.

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IOM UK hosted a two-day innovative peer learning workshop as part of the D4C project. This event brought together sixteen dedicated diaspora members from Bangladesh, Ghana, Jamaica, Moldova, and Somalia, who were identified to become ‘Diaspora Climate Champions’ and inspire change within their communities.

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While diasporas are among the first to respond when disasters strike in their country of heritage, they are seldom included in key climate discussions and policy frameworks. To shed light on this untapped potential, the D4C project has conducted a multi-country case study analysing the opportunities and challenges for diaspora engagement in climate action.    

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On International Women’s Day 2024, Victoria Căpătici, a Moldovan diaspora member based in the UK, highlights the importance of equal gender representation in key conversations around climate action, to bring new paths of innovation and inclusive solutions.

 

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COP28, IOM Promotes Alliances for Climate Action and the Role of Diasporas

Climate change has an adverse effect on our shared tomorrow. ‘Green’ – jobs, legislation and policies are on the rise. However, our actions still remain insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius as agreed in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Diversifying partnerships to reduce emissions and strengthen adaptive measures are urgently needed. 

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London Climate Action Week 2023: Bridging Local Actors and Global Aspirations

Climate change is the greatest global challenge of our times, and it requires the mobilisation of entire societies. Diasporas around the world are already playing a key role in advancing climate action, sustainable development and humanitarian assistance in disaster-affected areas, by contributing their expertise, ideas, connections and resources to both countries of heritage and residence. Cities, especially those with large migrant populations, are well placed to foster innovative and inclusive approaches to climate action by mobilising their diasporas and providing platforms that enable the exchange of learnings and implementation of good practices in their communities of origin and residence. During London Climate Action Week 2023, as part of the D4C project, IOM UK hosted an online discussion on the role of diasporas as bridges between cities and key actors in global climate action. Keynote speakers: Indira Kartallozi, Founder of Sustainability Leadership KosovaDenis Kierans, Researcher, The Migration Observatory and Global Exchange on Migration and Diversity, including Inclusive CitiesSoumyadeep Banerjee, Regional Migration, Environment, and Climate Change Specialist )Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia) IOMVictor Kotey, Deputy Director, Waste Management, Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA),  Professor Saleemul Huq, Director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) in Bangladesh. Moderator: Marta Foresti, Founder and CEO of LAGO, and Visiting Senior Fellow at ODI.

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In November 2022, IOM UK supported the participation of UK-based diaspora representative in key dialogues at Cop27. 

"Member States and policymakers should create the enabling environment for the diaspora to support climate action. Climate programmes need to be inclusive so that people in the diaspora have opportunities to make connections and build networks for climate action in their countries of origin." Gideon Commey, environmental activist from Ghana and doctoral researcher in food systems in the UK. 

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​Take charge of your future 
Understand what needs to change 
Build the confidence 
Challenge decision makers 
Request change to happen

On International Women Day 2023, we spoke to diaspora women leaders based in the UK and supporting sustainable development & Climate Action in their countries of residence and origin.​

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