The Climate Mobility Network (CMN) was part of the Columbia Climate School’s Earth Network program from 2020 to 2023. In 2023, the Climate School signed an MOU with the UN Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) for the establishment of a Global Knowledge Hub (GKH). The work of the CMN continues under the rubric of the GKH.

The GKH mobilizes a network of researchers, educators, and law and policy practitioners across the university focused on “climate mobility”. This term refers to voluntary and forced migration that are influenced by climate variability and change, including migration as adaptation, internal displacement, refugee flows, managed retreat, and planned relocation (see diagram below). Building on the CMN, the GKH strengthens access to data and information to raise awareness and support decision-making related to climate mobility in regions, countries, and communities facing acute risks. It seeks to shape a people-centered narrative on climate mobility and to influence norm and policy development by producing evidence and elevating the stories of frontline communities.

The GKH includes representatives from six schools at Columbia University who bring a transdisciplinary perspective to climate mobility education, research, policy, and praxis (see core group below). We have organized our activities according to the four purposes of the Climate School - Education, Research, Events/Outreach, and Policy/Practice.