Climate change is impacting the lives and livelihoods of people around the world and is one of the greatest challenges of our time, requiring urgent collective action. 

Diaspora groups are powerhouses of innovation in their countries of residence and origin. Their contribution, for example through remittances, direct investment, philanthropy and skills transfer, is widely recognised. They are also among the first to respond when a disaster strikes in their countries of origin, but governments are yet to develop frameworks, policies and programmes that can unlock diasporas’ global connections and potential in accelerating climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Diaspora groups have the knowledge, skills, and global connections that are crucial to accelerate climate action in their countries of origins and on a larger scale. 

An important part of the Ghanaian diaspora resides in the UK which is home to some of the largest diaspora communities worldwide. To help leverage this untapped potential, IOM UK launched the Diaspora for Climate Action (D4C) project. The project works to enable diaspora members to build connections with key stakeholders in Bangladesh, Jamaica, Ghana and Albania that can help them achieve more effective and coordinated climate action, and greater and longer-lasting impacts on climate-vulnerable populations. 

These four countries are all significantly affected by the negative impacts of climate change, and the challenges they face require immediate and effective responses and mobilization of resources from a variety of stakeholders.

This initiative is funded by IOM Development Fund, working with IOM missions and relevant ministries in these four countries, and will contribute to government efforts to address the adverse impacts of climate change and promote sustainable development. D4C aims to create a model for other countries to promote the unique role diaspora can play in shaping national climate action policies and interventions alongside governments and other actors.

D4C in Ghana

In Ghana, IOM cooperates closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; Environmental Protection Agency of the Ministry of Environment Science, Technology and Innovation; Diaspora Affairs Office, Office of the President; Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection; as well as Ghanaian Diaspora members in the UK.

One of the UK-based representatives of the Ghanaian diaspora involved in the project is Gideon Commey, an environmental activist from Ghana and doctoral researcher in food systems in the UK.

"Member States and policymakers should create the enabling environment for the diaspora to support climate action. Climate programmes need to be inclusive so that people in the diaspora have opportunities to make connections and build networks for climate action in their countries of origin," said Gideon in this interview with IOM UK during COP27.

For information about the D4C project please contact:

At IOM Ghana: Giulia Piccioni, gpiccioni@iom.int
At IOM UK: Alexia Scarlett, alscarlett@iom.int, or Martina Castiglioni, mcastiglioni@iom.int