Climate Mobility Impacts Dashboard

December 9, 2023

The IOM (International Organization for Migration) unveiled an open-access interactive tool, the Climate Mobility Impacts dashboard, on December 5, 2023. This tool projects the potential impact of heatwaves under different warming scenarios, offering valuable insights into the future of climate-related displacement. Close to 568 million people could face exposure to heatwaves by 2030 if global temperatures rise by 3-4 degrees Celsius by 2100.

Global Trends and Regional Variations

Asia and Africa at Highest RiskUnder both low-warming (LW) and high-warming (HW) scenarios, approximately 93% of this population exposed to heatwaves will reside in Asia and Africa. The HW scenario is particularly alarming, increasing the number of people exposed to heatwaves by five times compared to the LW scenario.

European Heatwave ThreatRecent trends highlight the growing threat of heatwaves in Europe, with 2023 witnessing record-breaking heatwaves. In 2022, close to 62,000 deaths in Europe were attributed to heatwaves, emphasizing the urgent need for climate action.

Oceania and the AmericasOceania is expected to experience a more than 2.9-fold increase in the population exposed to heatwaves under the HW scenario. In the Americas, up to 187 million people could be exposed to heatwaves by 2090 under the high-warming scenario.

Rising Threat of Climate Hazards

The GDI dashboard underscores that no region in the world will be immune to the impacts of climate change. Heatwaves, river floods, droughts, wildfires, tropical cyclones, and crop failure all pose significant risks. Heatwaves, in particular, are anticipated to become deadlier with further increments of climate change, according to warnings from the United Nations.

River Floods

Under the HW scenario, river floods could potentially affect up to 156 million people by 2090, with more than 87% of these impacts concentrated in Asia. Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is projected to be the most affected.

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