We use “climate-driven” to establish that climate change and its impacts—such as sea level rise, flooding, coastal erosion and land loss, hurricanes, and storm surge—are the reason why relocation is being considered.

We use “relocation” because it most closely aligns with the policy landscape in the U.S., where UOL’s coastal cities work is focused. While “relocation” refers to the physical movement of people and structures away from climate risk, our work also addresses other activities that can occur before, during, and after relocation, such as community engagement, cultural preservation, the migration and restoration of coastal ecosystems, and economic resilience.

“Climate-driven relocation” is sometimes referred to as “managed retreat,” however, the term can imply top-down approaches that could undermine the agency and self-determination of coastal communities.

We acknowledge that there is no single, universal term for such a difficult and complex issue that can have life-altering effects on people and their homes, communities, safety, and well-being. While we broadly use the term “climate-driven relocation” to refer to our organization’s policy work in this area, when working with communities we will follow their lead and use their preferred terminology.

UOL recognizes the importance of centering the lived experiences, informed participation, and leadership within coastal communities, as well as the extensive effects relocation can have on people, communities, ecosystems, infrastructure, and economies. We prioritize justice-centered policies for climate-driven relocation in coastal cities that protect the rights and well-being of people, while also supporting the resilience of the built and natural environment.