Climate change and associated environmental degradation hold the potential to displace millions of people in coming decades. Estimates of the likely number of people who may be affected by environmental migration vary widely and there have been few efforts to date to systematically analyze the triggers, patterns and policy implications of such trends. An emerging body of inter-disciplinary research is beginning to look at key aspects of these issues with the aim of helping policy makers to make informed decisions on how to prepare for, prevent or respond to climate change related human mobility in an effective manner.

The Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII) was launched by Munich Re in April 2005 in response to the growing realization that insurance-related solutions can play a role in adaptation to climate change, as advocated in the Framework Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. This initiative brings together insurers, experts on climate change and adaptation, NGOs, and policy researchers intent on finding solutions to the risks posed by climate change. MCII provides a forum and gathering point for insurance-related expertise on climate change impact issues.

The session seeks to build a network among organizations and initiatives for insurance-related approaches, and to identify pilot projects for the application of insurance-related solutions. Finally, it should facilitate discussion of how to promote loss reduction measures in connection with climate-related events.