EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - As climate impacts accelerate worldwide and force many to leave their homes, this research confirms urban areas and contributes to accelerating urbanisation.
Failure to reduce carbon emissions in line with the targets of the Paris Agreement could fuel migration of 8 million people to 10 cities in the developing world by 2050, a report co-signed by leaders of the would-be affected cities warns and published by Baruch College.
Our global cities have always been a refuge and destination for newcomers.
Accra and Freetown, the capitals of Ghana and Sierra Leone respectively, are among these cities.
The migration identified in the report will be within each country, where people move from towns or rural centres to the capitals.
In Freetown’s case, the 269,000 people expected to move to the city is half the total number of internal migrants expected in the country as a result of climate change.
C40 Cities, one of the organizations behind the report, is co-chaired by the Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. Global South cities are using diplomacy to “address urban climate migration” and protect cities under threat, she said. But she stressed that cooperation from developed countries is essential too.
The data is clear: by 2050, cities can expect to be home to a significant number of internal migrants as a result of the climate crisis; unless urgent action is taken to stop emissions and reduce associated climate impacts.
To Download the research paper, visit: https://c40.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#36000001Enhz/a/Vo000000Ecev/s2aMWA.1OlkzPhbL_rQQvcJJi3eaSu_E2OWDPpb6xSo