Understanding Climate-Induced Migration

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) developed a spatial multi-criteria model based on 53 structured interviews to understand the drivers of climate-induced migration. The analysis reveals that migration decisions are not monolithic but result from individual calculations where economic and social factors are prioritized over environmental factors, which are typically viewed as underlying drivers.

• Migration decisions are driven by individual calculations and a combination of interacting factors rather than a single cause, meaning people may choose to stay in a location despite climate change impacts and vulnerability.
• In the decision-making process, individuals prioritize economic factors—specifically unemployment, lack of income, and job opportunities—above other drivers, while environmental factors are generally seen as underlying influences.
• An assessment of migration potential based on 53 structured interviews shows that potential migrants make decisions based on varying perceptions and preferences across cultural, environmental, social, and economic factors.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2023). Understanding Climate-Induced Migration. https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-climate-induced-migration/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Understanding Climate-Induced Migration. 2023. https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-climate-induced-migration/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Understanding Climate-Induced Migration |date=15 February 2023 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-climate-induced-migration/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2023understanding, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Understanding Climate-Induced Migration}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2023}, month = feb, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-climate-induced-migration/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }