Land Degradation, Climate Change and Migration Nexus

Managing Migration Amid Land Degradation and Climate Change

The interlinkages between land degradation, climate change, and migration are increasingly recognized as a complex, multidimensional challenge to sustainable development. The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) highlights that environmental degradation and climate-related risks can significantly influence population movements, particularly in rural and vulnerable areas.

In Central Asia and Russia, migration flows are often driven by a combination of environmental and socio-economic factors. The region faces challenges such as declining soil fertility, erosion, salinization, more frequent droughts, and shifting hydrological patterns. These environmental pressures directly affect agricultural productivity, rural employment, and overall quality of life.

Migration can serve both as a forced response to deteriorating living conditions and as a household-level adaptation strategy to changing circumstances. Youth and women are particularly vulnerable, as environmental degradation and economic hardship reduce opportunities in rural communities.

To effectively address these interconnected challenges, a comprehensive approach is needed that includes:

• Integrating climate and land degradation risks into sustainable development strategies;

• Strengthening local adaptation mechanisms, including sustainable land management and equitable access to natural resources;

• Developing environmentally informed migration policies;

• Expanding educational and employment opportunities in rural areas;

• Enhancing regional cooperation and knowledge exchange on sustainable response strategies.

As part of their collaborative efforts, the members of the Interregional Group (IRG) supported the development of a Study on the Nexus of Land Degradation, Climate Change, and Migration in Central Asia, funded by the Russian Federation. 

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The study was officially launched online on 16 February 2023, with the participation of its authors, representatives of all IRG countries, and relevant international organizations.

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Thus, well-managed migration in the context of environmental change can be seen not only as a challenge but also as a pathway to resilience, inclusive development, and protection of vulnerable groups. Promoting regional cooperation and exchange of good practices.

In this context, well-managed migration should not be seen solely as a challenge, but rather as a strategic element of resilience-building and inclusive development policies that protect vulnerable populations from the compound risks of environmental degradation and climate stress.