Khanna tackled one of the most pressing issues of our time: how climate change, geopolitical tensions, and economic transformations are accelerating migration flows and redefining the future of nations and cities. He introduced a startling statistic: by 2050, more than a billion people could be forced to migrate due to rising sea levels, rising temperatures, and natural disasters. For Khanna, these movements are not just a response to the crisis, but also an extraordinary opportunity to rethink the way we live, work, and organize ourselves as a global society.
Khanna highlighted how some regions of the planet, such as Northern Europe, Canada and parts of Asia, will become preferred destinations for millions of migrants. These areas, thanks to a more temperate climate and greater infrastructural resilience, represent a sort of “climate refuge”. He cited the case of the Netherlands, which is transforming its territory with cutting-edge technologies to deal with sea level rise, and Singapore, which is investing in sustainable urban solutions to ensure long-term liveability.
is at the heart of his analysis. According to him, governments must start planning today for tomorrow’s challenges, investing in sustainable infrastructure, renewable c level executive list energy and climate mitigation technologies. His company, Climate Alpha, uses artificial intelligence and big data to identify the most promising regions of the world for future development. These tools calculate climate risk, resource accessibility and economic opportunities, providing governments and investors with a detailed map of potential areas of human settlement in the coming decades.
Khanna also highlighted how migration can be a powerful economic lever. Evidence shows that migrants are a driving force for global economies, contributing more than 15% of global GDP. However, he warned that failure to manage these flows could exacerbate global inequalities. Nations that attract migrants through inclusive policies, modern infrastructure and strong social systems will emerge as global leaders. Conversely, those that fail to plan risk missing out on crucial opportunities in an increasingly competitive world.