The perception of climate change in the intention to migrate: evidence in Copán, Honduras

• Country: Honduras
  Start date: 08/11/2022
  End date: 07/11/2024
  Applicants: Universidad Loyola, Fundación ETEA
  Local partner(s): Proyectos e Iniciativas Locales para el Autodesarrollo Regional de Honduras (PILARH)
  Funder: AACID
  Funding: 57.012,00 EUR

The objective of the project is to contribute to the mitigation of migration from Copán (Honduras) through the analysis of the perception that the local population has about climate change, particularly coffee producers. For this, it is intended to strengthen the understanding between different actors of the Department of Copán on the causes of migration, through its connection with climate change, particularly among coffee producers, for the design of measures that reduce the migration.

Climate change exacerbates poverty, unemployment and food insecurity; factors highly linked to the intention to migrate (CEAR and Greenpeace, 2021). However, there is a significant lack of empirical studies in this regard in Honduras. This study applies a mixed methodology of data collection, surveys and focus groups, to (1) empirically demonstrate the relationship between the perception of climate change and the intention or not to migrate. (2) From a gender perspective, study both perceptions of climate change and intentions to migrate due to it. We will use as a case study the area of ​​Copán, in Honduras, an area highly affected by climate change, and located within the “Dry Corridor” in Central America. Thanks to the data and findings of the investigation, we will carry out the following: 1) Training collaboration with local agents to raise awareness about climate change and data collection; 2) Drafting and publication of a practical guide created by the collaborating entities to establish starting indicators with the necessary intervention guidelines that can contribute to the prevention of migrations due to climate change in that area; and 3) Organizing conferences to disseminate the results and train government agents involved in drafting environmental policies, as well as other stakeholders.

Results
R1. A diagnosis has been carried out that helps to identify the current perceptions of climate change by the population of the Department of Copán, particularly among coffee producers.
R2. It has been identified, with the support of partners and local experts, how perceptions of climate change contribute to environmental migration in Copán, particularly among coffee farmers.
R3. Transfer and dissemination of results. Government representatives, academic institutions and social organizations have understood the impact of the effects of climate change on the migration of coffee producers in the Department of Copán.