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. 

The Conference of Parties (COP) is the annual global forum which provides a unique opportunity for world leaders to hear from and connect with a constellation of actors, including civil society, climate experts, industry representatives, indigenous groups and international organisations. At COP, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) engages with Member States and relevant stakeholders to bring holistic solutions to human mobility by ensuring regular, safe, and dignified solutions and pathways for people at the frontlines of climate change.

As part of IOM UK’s Diaspora for Climate Action project (D4C), IOM is hosting a side event at the 28th iteration of COP this year to explore how governments can work with diasporas to leverage their global networks, domain expertise, and context-specific knowledge to achieve a more coordinated and effective climate action. 

The event will highlight examples of diaspora entrepreneurship in climate action, discuss initial findings from the D4C project on the challenges and opportunities for diaspora engagement in climate action, and explore opportunities for collaboration. The panel members for the discussions will include government delegates from the US, UK, Ghana, Bangladesh, and Jamaica, as well as a diaspora entrepreneur and youth climate activist. 

Based on the inspiring real-life stories of diaspora members who have been engaged in the Diaspora 4 Climate Action initiative, IOM has co-developed: ‘Climate Champions Across Borders’, a short video animation which aims to raise awareness of diaspora initiatives and entrepreneurship in supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation in countries of heritage. 
 

At COP28, diaspora voices must be heard.