Climate change-induced migration

Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Organisation in Lower Saxony (ELM) contributes a documentary film and presentation about Malawi.

A two-day specialist event entitled "Climate change-induced migration" was held at the Evangelische Akademie Loccum in December 2025. Experts from science, politics, administration and development cooperation came together to discuss the global impact of climate change on migration.

The conference offered an interdisciplinary overview. Extreme weather events, droughts, floods and rising sea levels were presented as driving factors for migration. Regional case studies from Africa and Asia illustrated the direct social and economic consequences for affected communities. A key finding of the conference was that most people do not want to migrate - they want to stay. In many cases, migration only occurs when living conditions deteriorate permanently and existing coping and adaptation strategies are no longer sufficient. In such cases, migration can be understood as a form of adaptation to changed environmental and living conditions.

At the same time, it was emphasised that the effects of climate change do not affect everyone equally. The extent to which people are affected and their available room for manoeuvre depend on factors such as age, gender, state of health, social situation and indigenous affiliation. Children, older people, people with health impairments and indigenous communities are considered particularly vulnerable. Structural factors such as access to resources, infrastructure and state support were also emphasised as key.

The first day focussed on scientific principles and practical experience. Local adaptation strategies were presented in lectures and small group discussions, including initiatives in Ethiopia, South Africa and Malawi.

The Ev.-luth. Mission in Lower Saxony took part in the conference with a presentation by Tobias Schäfer Sell, Malawi and Advocacy Officer, on the topic of "climate flight" in Malawi and the screening of the documentary film "Beni Youth". Commissioned by ELM, filmmakers Philipp Seifert and Raphael Schanz portrayed young people in Malawi in 2024 who are building a future in their village despite difficult conditions and are actively involved. The film was met with great interest by the participants.

The second day was dedicated to legal and political issues: experts discussed international and national regulations, planned resettlements and the role of asylum procedures in the context of climate-induced migration. The conference concluded with a panel discussion on opportunities and challenges for countries of origin and host countries.

Overall, the event made it clear that climate change and migration are closely linked and should be seen as global issues for the future. Coordinated political strategies, international cooperation and practice-orientated approaches are required that are geared towards the respective local conditions and take into account the scope for action of the affected population groups. The conference in Loccum provided a platform for pooling knowledge, exchanging experiences and discussing options for action.

The participants saw the conference as an encouragement and reinforcement that, despite the current crises and political aggravation in the area of migration and flight, many organisations and people are working for the people affected.