Exposed and exploited: addressing the climate migration modern slavery nexus in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, loss and damage from climate change is hitting the poorest people hardest, impacting their lives and livelihoods in catastrophic ways. For many people, migration has become an unavoidable response – a last resort for those who can no longer sustain themselves. However, rather than providing stability, migration often pushes people into deeper vulnerability, exposing them to exploitative labour conditions, modern slavery and human trafficking.

At an online event on 18 February, IIED will share key insights from our research, including a breakdown of climate-related economic and non-economic losses, migration trends, and real-life testimonies of migrants caught in exploitative labour systems. Our findings provide new evidence on the extent to which migrants are exposed to modern slavery, within country and at international destinations. Find out more and register now.

News?and insights

Trump 2.0 and the future of global climate action: Make Change Happen podcast episode 30

Within hours of being sworn in, President Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Against this backdrop, IIED’s head of global climate governance, Subhi Barakat , and IIED’s senior press and PR manager, Simon Cullen discuss in a new podcast episode. In just 15 minutes, they cover what this means for international climate talks and the future of global collective climate action. Listen now! ?

Interview: Improving women’s participation in global climate talks

New research from IIED examines the barriers to women’s participation in UN climate negotiations. Co-authors María Fernanda Alcobé , Elaine Harty and Tracy C. Kajumba discuss the findings and why it’s vital to address the root causes of women’s under-representation in this critical space. Read the interview. ?

‘Urban first’ in a world without camps

Most of the world’s refugees and internally displaced persons live in towns and cities, while donors and aid agencies channel support to those living in camps. A radical ‘urban first’ approach could provide a cost-effective and equitable way forward for displaced people – and donors. IIED's?Lucy Earle?and?Alison Brown,?professor of urban planning and international development at Cardiff University, discuss in a recent insight. Read it now. ?

Wanted: urban resilience research consultant

We are seeking a research consultant to help enhance urban resilience in five cities of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including India and South Africa, through innovative, locally-led lab-type interventions and multi-scalar collaborations.? The consultant will work on the implementation of a flagship initiative under the Adaptation Research Alliance, the ‘URBAN: Unlocking Resilience through Bottom-up Action-Research and Multi-Scalar Networks’ programme. Find out more and submit your CV by 15 February.

Understanding barriers to women’s participation in the UN climate negotiations: perspectives from the least developed countries

Since 2008, women have accounted for approximately one in three delegates at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations. At the current rate of change, gender parity in heads of delegation, of whom only about 10% are women, will not be achieved in the foreseeable future.

This research examines the underlying factors that contribute to this low representation, focusing on the perspectives of delegates from the 45 least developed countries (LDCs), which on average have lower rates of women participating in UNFCCC negotiations than other regions.?We?recommend a series of actions for national governments, the LDC Group, the UNFCCC and funders to foster more inclusive and diverse representation in UNFCCC negotiations. Download the research report.?