On September 23, 2026, the Advisory Council on Migration and the Netherlands Scientific Climate Council (WKR) published the briefing 'Start to move'. In this briefing, the advisory councils explain the impact of climate change on migration and what this means for the Netherlands.
Image: © WKR
Climate change affects people’s living conditions worldwide and can therefore also have a major impact on migration. Although the exact scale and future developments of this change are still uncertain, climate-related migration is already a reality—and the consequences of climate change will only grow. It is therefore advisable for the Netherlands to prepare for a world with potentially increased climate-related migration. This can be achieved by better monitoring climate-related migration, building more knowledge about its impact on the Netherlands and Europe, and identifying policy priorities.
This report compiles existing knowledge, provides insight into underlying mechanisms, risks, and uncertainties, and identifies key issues that the Dutch government can address.