Data collection: The data collection process primarily focused on national-level legislation (for example, laws, decrees, acts, resolutions, regulations, agreements) and policies (for example, policies, action plans, strategies, frameworks, National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)). Regional and bilateral instruments were also identified and reviewed.

Instruments were reviewed across four main policy sectors, broadly grouped as: Human Mobility (e.g. migration, displacement, evacuation, planned relocation, refugee protection, resettlement, reintegration); Disasters (e.g. humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness, disaster response, disaster risk reduction); Climate Change (e.g. climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation); and Sustainable Development (e.g. environmental/ ecosystem management, integrated coastal zone management, land management, urban/rural planning, development, poverty reduction, food and agriculture, public health, education, gender equality, social justice).

Limitations: The data collection process prioritized actions and instruments developed by or with the participation of States, and specifically those for which information could be collected more easily based on available sources. Evidence of practices, such as ad hoc measures, programmes, initiatives, could not be collected systematically and could only be included for a limited number of countries for which such information was readily available from secondary sources. The database does not include a comprehensive, exhaustive review of all existing and relevant national policies in every country, which would require additional resources and more extended access to documents and consultations with relevant national stakeholders. It includes only those available and relevant to the topics mentioned above.

Follow up mechanism: The data is up-to-date as of August 2023 with additional data on NAPs and NDCs updated up until March 2024. New data, as well as updates to existing data, will be collected in the next phases of the GCM Baseline Mapping project. The database is updated every six months with any new documents. Additionally, a contribution form has been created where any user and stakeholders will be able to input relevant existing policies and legal frameworks that are missing from the database, and that are: (i) passed or enacted by national or sub-national legislative bodies and/or governments (or are currently in the process of being passed or enacted); and (ii) concerned with the distinct dimensions of human mobility in the context of the adverse effects of climate change, disasters, and environmental degradation. Contributions will be vetted by the respective focal points of IOM and PDD.