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The state of planning, policy, and justice for human mobility in national adaptation plans

In a recently published study, Tulane University’s Jesse M. Keenan and co-authors analyzed 57 national adaptation plans (NAPs) to assess how countries are preparing for climate-driven human migration. While most plans acknowledge the issue, few offer concrete strategies. “We found that many governments are referencing human mobility, but they’re not yet grappling with the real policy trade-offs,” said Keenan, who led the research.

The study identifies overlooked conflicts—such as land use, property rights, and institutional capacity—that could undermine equitable climate adaptation. “Helping people move is only part of the challenge,” Keenan explained. “We also have to consider who gets left behind, and how we support both sending and receiving communities.”

Keenan’s work emphasizes the need for justice-centered planning that includes vulnerable populations and ecosystems. As climate impacts accelerate, the study calls for more integrated, forward-looking policies that reflect the complex realities of human mobility in a warming world.