Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Europe: A Review of Risk Governance

This study aims to analyse climate related disasters risk reduction governance in the European context. It is commissioned by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat – Europe (UNISDR), Council of Europe, and the European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement. The report has be a particular focus on the flow of information from researchers to policy makers and the way in which the decision-making process in climate adaptation and risk reduction is commonly managed. The study confines itself to Europe and will look into practical cases of European regional and national adaptation strategies. It also investigates specific projects and initiatives addressing Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction. It is divided into three sections:
1. An overview of the climate-risks and disaster risk reduction field(s).
2. An analysis of the current governance structure (studying the flow of information and decisionmaking processes).
3. Recommendations for the enhancement of these practices in regional and international organisations.
The main aim of the review is to provide policy guidance and capacity to European decision makers in the governance of climate-risks. This study presents a critical analysis of on-going research projects dealing with the social dimension of Climate Change Adaptation.