Achieving Systems Change for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Adaptation
This roundtable will explore the complexities of Disaster Risk Management, with a particular focus on Early Warning Systems and locally-led solutions to resilience, and discuss strategies for overcoming these challenges.
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Disaster Risk Management (DRM), particularly Early Warning Systems (EWS), have become central to climate risk reduction efforts, with many donors and funds, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Climate Risk Early Warning Systems (CREWS), prioritising these solutions. The EW4All strategy, for example, has identified 30 countries where EWS must be operational by 2027, extending from national levels to remote, rural communities.
To ensure the success of these systems, collaboration is essential across various government agencies responsible for data collection, coordinating response mechanisms, and assessing vulnerabilities within social structures. Additionally, private sector involvement, particularly from telecommunications companies and tech actors, is crucial for integrating advanced AI-driven hazard models into these frameworks.
While many countries already have community-based or partially functional EWS systems, the real challenge lies in enhancing these existing frameworks. It involves integrating new tools and technologies, determining which systems are effective, and phasing out those that aren't. Moreover, convincing stakeholders to adopt new approaches after years of investment in older systems remains a significant hurdle.
Another cost-effective and impactful solution for climate resilience can be found at the community or local level. By accurately identifying climate risks and potential hazards (such as floods or droughts), there is an opportunity to attract investment, either through existing government financial tools, institutional donors or private sector involvement. Developing and investing in locally led climate adaptation or disaster management plans, together with the right intervention strategy, can create effective, low-cost and localised approaches to reduce climate risk.
This roundtable will explore the complexities of DRM, with a particular focus on EWS and locally-led solutions to resilience, and discuss strategies for overcoming these challenges. We will delve into structural approaches, share innovative ideas, and examine practical solutions to ensure that operational systems and investments in climate resilience are established from national capitals to the most remote villages, all within a 3-4 year timeframe, while adhering to donor budget expectations.
