IOM Director General warns climate change threatens to displace 200 million people

Amy Pope, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), warned on November 13, 2026, that climate change threatens to displace over 200 million people. These individuals live in highly vulnerable communities that face significant risks from environmental shifts. The warning was delivered during an interview with AFP on the sidelines of the COP31 UN climate conference held in Antalya, Turkey.

Rising displacement and climate risks

The scale of human movement driven by environmental factors is increasing. IOM data shows that approximately 30 million people were displaced in 2025 by a variety of weather-related events. These events included storms, droughts, wildfires, extreme temperatures, and floods. Amy Pope noted that climate-related migration and conflict-related migration are inextricably linked. The Director General stated that climate impacts conflicts and conflicts impact climate, meaning the two issues cannot be addressed in isolation.

Funding gaps for climate adaptation

A significant disparity exists between the financial requirements for climate adaptation and the actual capital being allocated to these efforts. Global climate adaptation measures are estimated to cost approximately 310 billion dollars. However, current funding for these adaptation measures stands at approximately 30 billion dollars. This massive gap highlights a critical shortage of resources needed to protect vulnerable populations from environmental shifts.

Amy Pope also highlighted a contradiction in how international governments allocate their budgets. She noted a discrepancy between the billions of dollars spent on border security and the lack of investment in addressing the root causes of migration. The Director General suggested that governments must not treat climate change and migration as separate issues.

Summit participation and global response

The COP31 summit in Antalya serves as a major platform for international climate discussions. Despite the urgency of the climate crisis, Amy Pope expressed disappointment regarding the absence of several heads of state at the summit. The lack of high-level political presence may impact the ability of the international community to coordinate effective responses to the growing displacement crisis. As climate change continues to drive environmental instability, the need for increased investment in adaptation measures remains a primary concern for international organizations.

Glossary

• COP31 — COP31 is a UN climate conference. It serves as a major platform for international climate discussions.
• climate adaptation — Climate adaptation refers to measures taken to address environmental shifts, such as improving infrastructure through better drainage systems, flood barriers, and resilient power grids. It can also include behavioral responses like migration, relocation, or resettlement.