Building local capacity for cohesive disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in Europe: challenges and recommendations

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G Clegg, N Dias, D Amaratunga and R Haigh

University of Huddersfield-GDRC, UK

: Expert Opin Environ Biol

Abstract

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It is widely recognised that there are significant benefits in realising a cohesive approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) for achieving resilience aims. However, there are many challenges that act to prevent a harmonised approach. This study draws upon the findings of a EU-wide review and six national reports developed for Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, the UK and Denmark in a project entitled ESPREssO (Enhancing Synergies for Disaster Prevention in the European Union), funded by the European Commission Horizon 2020 programme. A litrature review and thereafter, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were carried out to identify challenges and recommendations. Findings reveal a lack of capacity at local levels to be one of the most prominent challenges to effective CCA and DRR integration in Europe. Although local authorities frequently have the responsibility for implementing CCA and DRR actions, they do not always have the capacity or knowledge to manage all the principles, policies and practices bestowed upon them. Specific issues include a lack of knowledge, awareness and financing among many. A lack of horizontal and vertical coordination between levels of governance compounds these issues, resulting in a multitude of challenges which act to prevent successful CCA and DRR integration. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) advocates the sharing of the States DRR responsibilities with local government, while the Paris Agreement highlights adaptation measures that are based upon indigenous and local knowledge. Without sufficient capacity to act and a lack of coordination, the goals of post-2015 international agenda cannot be achieved. To overcome such challenges several recommendations are presented, including resource sharing, increased involvement of local levels in decision making, awareness building and engagement of the private sector, in order to further positive action in DRR and CCA.

Biography

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G Clegg is a Research Assistant working on the ESPREssO project (Enhancing synergies for disaster prevention in the European Union) at the Global Disaster Resilience Centre, University of Huddersfield UK. She has completed a Master’s degree in Applied Meteorology and Climatology from the University of Birmingham, a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Sheffield, UK and has interests in natural hazards and climate change.