disaster risk reduction – a core climate policy for protecting the vulnerable
DESCRIPTION
Disaster Risk Reduction – a Core Climate Policy for Protecting the Vulnerable. Reid Basher, ISDR Secretariat, Geneva. Disasters are increasing – linked to development and climate change. Adaptation policies need to encompass disaster risk reduction. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
ww
w.u
nisd
r.or
g
1Climate Change and the Most Vulnerable Countries:
The Imperative to Act, Informal Meeting of UNGA, New York, 8 July 2008
Disaster Risk Reduction – a Core Climate Policy for Protecting the Vulnerable
Disasters are increasing – linked to development and climate change. Adaptation policies need to encompass disaster risk reduction. Imperative to act now – the knowledge and tools are already available.
Reid Basher, ISDR Secretariat, Geneva
ww
w.u
nisd
r.or
g
2Climate Change and the Most Vulnerable Countries:
The Imperative to Act, Informal Meeting of UNGA, New York, 8 July 2008
Disaster risks are heavy burden on the poor
1. Disasters affected 2.5 billion people in last decade; with costs of $570 billion. Death toll was 889,000 people. Main hazards are climatic - floods, storms and droughts.
2. Poorest countries are 5 times more affected. Impacts can exceed GDP.
3. Vulnerability to natural hazards arises from land degradation, unplanned settlements, lack of awareness, lack of preparedness, poverty.
www.unisdr.org
ww
w.u
nisd
r.or
g
3Climate Change and the Most Vulnerable Countries:
The Imperative to Act, Informal Meeting of UNGA, New York, 8 July 2008
Climate change and disaster risks
1. Evidence of more extreme events already found (IPCC) – drought, heavy rainfall, heatwaves.
2. Populated deltas, SIDS, and Africa identified.
3. Impacts from (i) more extreme events and (ii) greater vulnerability to hazards - from stresses on ecosystems and water.
4. Big gaps of knowledge on specific humanitarian and economic consequences.
www.unisdr.org
ww
w.u
nisd
r.or
g
4Climate Change and the Most Vulnerable Countries:
The Imperative to Act, Informal Meeting of UNGA, New York, 8 July 2008
Climate change and disaster risks
1. Extensive toolbox of methods for reducing disaster risks is available for adaptation use.
2. Risk assessments, early warning systems, ecosystem management, river management, public education, etc.
3. We need an IPCC assessment on tools for management of extreme events.
4. Clearly we should link adaptation and disaster reduction agendas, not reinvent the wheel.
www.unisdr.org
ww
w.u
nisd
r.or
g
5Climate Change and the Most Vulnerable Countries:
The Imperative to Act, Informal Meeting of UNGA, New York, 8 July 2008
Climate policy to reduce disaster risks
1. Bali Action Plan proposes “risk management and risk reduction strategies, including risk sharing and transfer mechanisms” … and … “disaster reduction strategies and means to address loss and damage in developing countries”
2. UNGA-endorsed Hyogo Framework for Action is a core policy guide for supporting adaptation.
3. Adaptation funding criteria, adaptation plans, and NAPAs, should include disaster risk reduction.
www.unisdr.org
ww
w.u
nisd
r.or
g
6Climate Change and the Most Vulnerable Countries:
The Imperative to Act, Informal Meeting of UNGA, New York, 8 July 2008
Priorities and measures to build resilience
1. First priorities? (i) National Adaptation Plans. (ii) National risk assessments, focused on the vulnerable. (ii) Strengthened institutions, including to link climate change and risk reduction agendas.
2. Measures? (i) Risk-related zoning and building codes. (ii) Protection of environmental buffers. (iii) Management of floods and droughts. (iv) Protection of critical facilities e.g. hospitals. (v) Early warning and response systems. (vi) Public education and awareness raising.
www.unisdr.org