Prof. Jürgen Scheffran appointed to the German Federal Government’s commission on “causes of flight”

10 July 2019, by CEN Universität Hamburg

Photo: UHH/CEN/Ausserhofer

Prof. Scheffran researches at the Universität Hamburg on social conflicts that are triggered or intensified by climate change.

Jürgen Scheffran, a Professor of Integrative Geography and Chair of the Research Group Climate Change and Security (CLISEC) at Universität Hamburg’s Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, was recently appointed to the German Federal Government’s commission on “causes of flight.”

The commission, which consists of 24 members, has been tasked with defining the most critical causes of flight and irregular migration, and to present their findings by the end of 2020. In addition, they will prepare proposals for combating these causes.

The commission’s report and concrete recommendations are intended to support the Federal Government e.g. in its joint efforts with the European Union and international organizations.

At Universität Hamburg, Prof. Scheffran has been pursuing research on societal conflicts that are sparked or exacerbated by climate change – e.g. due to scarce resources, rising energy and food costs, or the loss of arable land through droughts, storms or flooding – since 2009. According to Scheffran, “It’s likely that the risks of conflict and the causes of flight will significantly worsen due to climate change in the future.”

The commission was formed in close cooperation between the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Federal Foreign Office, and the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community.