On 16 March 2026, URI Europe hosted another session of the Earth Healing Interfaith Webinar Series, focusing on:
“Climate Change and Human Mobility: Implications for Migrants in Asia and Europe.”
The webinar brought together participants from across regions to explore how climate change is increasingly shaping migration patterns, and how environmental, social, and economic factors intersect to influence human mobility. The conversation emphasized that climate migration is not only an environmental issue, but also a human rights, development, and peacebuilding challenge.
The session featured Tarana Faroqi, URI Individual Member and migration expert, who shared insights from her work across South Asia, MENA, and Europe. Through case studies, she highlighted key challenges faced by climate-affected communities, including the lack of legal recognition for climate refugees and the need for stronger support systems in both origin and host communities.
Participants engaged in a rich exchange on:
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Strengthening local resilience to reduce forced displacement
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Preparing inclusive host communities
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Understanding different types of migration
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Balancing climate mitigation and adaptation strategies
As part of the session, Lauren and Tarana shared useful resources, including the Migration Data Portal, educational materials, and case studies on community-based responses to climate change.
The webinar also offered a meaningful space for reflection, including a Quranic recitation in recognition of Ramadan, grounding the conversation in shared values of care and responsibility.
Watch the recording on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q9UBpqUHBxE
Resources:
- DASHBOARD and DATABASE (Migration Data Portal): https://www.migrationdataportal.org/climate-mobility-spotlight
- 10 MINUTE VIDEO (Utrecht University): “How will climate change reshape migration? Jamie Draper https://www.sg.uu.nl/video/2025/09/how-will-climate-change-reshape-migration
- CASE STUDY (IIED.org): “Exposed and exploited Climate change, migration and modern slavery in Bangladesh” https://www.iied.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/2025-02/22604iied.pdf
- IOM: https://publications.iom.
int/system/files/pdf/mrs-31_ en.pdf, https://mbhr.iom.int/ en/resources/videos/ international-labour- migration-changing-climate, ht tps://publications.iom.int/ system/files/pdf/environment_ climate_change_bangladesh.pdf - Stanford: https://
sustainability.stanford.edu/ news/4-key-facts-about- climate-change-and-human- migration - IIASA: https://iiasa.ac.at/news/oct-
2024/climate-change-impacts- internal-migration-worldwide - OECD: https://www.oecd.org/en/
topics/sub-issues/climate- change-demography-and- migration.html - Migration Policy Institute: https://www.
migrationpolicy.org/article/ climate-migration-101- explainer - UNHCR: https://www.unhcr.org/
what-we-do/build-better- futures/climate-change-and- displacement - WHO: https://www.who.int/news/
item/06-08-2025-climate- change-and-global-health--who- calls-for-migrant-inclusive- and-climate-resilient-health- systems
This session is part of URI Europe’s ongoing efforts to connect interfaith voices, practitioners, and communities in addressing climate challenges and caring for our shared Earth.
