Upscaling ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (eco-DRR) investments to reduce disaster risks

On the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Reduction, UNISDR, the European Commission, UNESCO and Wetlands International will join the International campaign “Home Safe Home” –Reducing exposure, reducing displacement” by holding an event to show evidence on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of community-ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation solutions.

Investments in ecosystem-based DRR strategies have a great potential for cost-effective avoidance of damages and casualties from disasters, while offering multiple benefits to society.

The event will seek to provide answers to the following questions:

• How do ecosystem-based DRR and adaptation contribute to achieve the Sendai target B: Substantially reduce the number of affected people globally by 2030, aiming to lower the average global figure per 100,000 in the decade 2020–2030 compared to the period 2005–2015?
• How can the implementation of ecosystem-based DRR and adaptation solutions be scaled up most effectively from local to national level?
• What opportunities/positive messages do we have from Eco-DRR in Europe, and can these opportunities be transferred to developing countries?
• How does the adoption of a multi-stakeholder approach including CSOs, local and indigenous communities, strengthen Eco-DRR programming and how to increase/mainstream it?

Intended main outcomes of the event: 

• Showcase good practices of ECO-DRR solutions and share knowledge;
• Development of key messages to be distributed at relevant international fora (COP23, CBD, SBSTA48 etc) to contributing to ongoing processes (ie. guidance on eco-drr under preparation by CBD)
• Call for next European Forum on DRR to respond to the key messages

Key messages should highlight the following points:

• ECO-DRR/CCA approaches have to be integrated into strategies on climate change adaptation, DRR and SDG.
• Need of economic case for investment in ECO-DRR/CCA
• Need for appraising and valuing ecosystems services.
• Maintaining and restoring ecosystems, our natural capital should be considered a major opportunity for investment of climate finance including by the private sector which could have a great impact setting examples of and upscaling natural infrastructure solutions.
• Need to consider the full range from ‘hard’ to ‘green’ infrastructure, as well as hybrid solutions, which must be compatible with each other, recognizing that different combinations are needed in different situations.
• Attention for communities most at risk, through inclusion of local risk perceptions and community based solutions.

The conference will be held from 9 am - 2 pm in English and French. 

Please click here to register

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