G.4. Round Table: Climate change, migration and health: the recognition of climate migrant status

Abstract

Abstract Background Climate change is increasingly reshaping key determinants of health by altering patterns of infectious diseases, undermining food and water security, and reducing access to safe and habitable environments. These pressures generate significant human, social and economic consequences, including loss of income, housing and livelihoods. As a result, growing numbers of people are being forced to leave their homes, either within their countries or, in some cases, across international borders. Addressing these challenges requires not only mitigation efforts but also effective adaptation strategies grounded in public health. The intersection between climate change and human rights is gaining greater attention within legal and policy frameworks, calling for more integrated and equity-oriented responses. In this context, the term “climate refugees” is often used in public discourse to describe individuals displaced by climate-related events. This term not only lacks formal recognition in international law, with the existing legal definition of refugees limited to those crossing borders due to persecution or conflict. It excludes those populations most affected who are internally displaced. As worsening climate change impacts become a lived reality for billions of people across the globe, this gap in legal protection is contributing to increased vulnerability and restricted access to health and social services, highlighting the critical role of legal determinants of health. However, it is relevant to mention some city-level initiatives like the Lampedusa Charter from United Cities and Local Government that commits member cities to responding to the combined challenge of migration and climate change. Aim this workshop aims to examine the health implications of climate-related displacement focusing on the case of climate migrant status and legal determinants of health and co-develop advocacy priorities for policy action at both the European with comparisons to other regions / globally. Format it will foster interdisciplinary dialogue among professionals working in migrant and minority health, environmental health, public health law and public health policy and politics across Europe, involving The Lancet Migration European Hub –The Lancet Regional Health – Europe Commission on Climate Change, Migration, Displacement and Health. Moderated by EUPHAnxt, with a specific focus on children and young migrants, the session will actively engage participants in a round table discussion. Added value the added value of this workshop lies in its interdisciplinary approach and its focus on translating evidence into a concrete policy output. The session will initiate the development of a policy paper and consensus statement aimed at supporting advocacy towards international legislative bodies for the recognition and protection of populations displaced by climate change, with particular attention to health implications. Key messages • Climate change significantly impacts health and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including migrants and displaced populations. • Interdisciplinary public health collaboration is essential to advance advocacy on legal determinants and protect climate-displaced populations. Speakers/Panellists Bernadette Kumar Health Services Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway Marija Jevtic University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine,, Novi Sad, Serbia Scott Greer University of Michigan, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Ann Arbor, USA