UK Immigration: Global Environmental Change Could Wreak Havoc

• global patterns and impacts of migration over the next 50 years arising from environmental change; &
  

• challenges that could result from changing migration patterns and how these might be managed.

The project is sponsored by the Home Office and the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Professor John Beddington, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the Government Office for Science said:

"A growing and increasingly urban population, coming out of poverty, a changing climate and pressures on land and water mean environmental migration is becoming a pressing policy concern.  We need to study the evidence carefully to make the best decisions.

"I am delighted the Government has agreed to sponsor this report.  I am inviting a number of leading academics and senior stakeholders to work with us throughout the project.

"Foresight has a critical contribution to make in helping to meet the challenges of the 21st century.  It helps ensure that government decision making is informed by longer term evidence-based thinking.  By taking a multidisciplinary approach combined with rigorous evaluation, Foresight  assists policymakers to think strategically about future uncertainties and opportunities. "

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said: 

"Failure to address future changes in the environment may result in substantial movements of people, which will have political consequences in diaspora communities across the world.  This study is very timely"

Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock said:

"We can foresee that climate change is going to be a key driver for global migration and we need to start planning for this now.  This project will provide valuable research into an issue which is going to be increasingly important as people respond to the reality of climate change."

• New Eco Incentives To Reduce Energy & Save Money

• global patterns and impacts of migration over the next 50 years arising from environmental change; &
  

• challenges that could result from changing migration patterns and how these might be managed.

The project is sponsored by the Home Office and the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Professor John Beddington, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the Government Office for Science said:

"A growing and increasingly urban population, coming out of poverty, a changing climate and pressures on land and water mean environmental migration is becoming a pressing policy concern.  We need to study the evidence carefully to make the best decisions.

"I am delighted the Government has agreed to sponsor this report.  I am inviting a number of leading academics and senior stakeholders to work with us throughout the project.

"Foresight has a critical contribution to make in helping to meet the challenges of the 21st century.  It helps ensure that government decision making is informed by longer term evidence-based thinking.  By taking a multidisciplinary approach combined with rigorous evaluation, Foresight  assists policymakers to think strategically about future uncertainties and opportunities. "

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said: 

"Failure to address future changes in the environment may result in substantial movements of people, which will have political consequences in diaspora communities across the world.  This study is very timely"

Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock said:

"We can foresee that climate change is going to be a key driver for global migration and we need to start planning for this now.  This project will provide valuable research into an issue which is going to be increasingly important as people respond to the reality of climate change."