D1.2 Handbook of multi-hazard, multi-risk definitions and concepts

This report is the first output of Work Package 1: Diagnosis of the MYRIAD-EU project: Handbook of Multi-hazard, Multi-Risk Definitions and Concepts. The aim of the task was to (i) acknowledge the differences and promote consistency in understanding across subsequent work packages in the MYRIAD-EU project, (ii) improve the accessibility of our work to a broad array of stakeholders and (iii) strengthen consensus across the hazard and risk community through a common understanding of multi-hazard, multi-risk terminology and concepts. The work encompassed a mixed-methods approach, including internal consultations and data-generating exercises; literature reviews; external stakeholder engagement; adopting and building on a rich existing body of established glossaries. 140 terms are included in the glossary, 102 related to multi-hazard, multi-risk, disaster risk management and an additional 38 due to their relevance to the project, acknowledging the need for a common understanding amongst an interdisciplinary project consortium. We also include extended definitions related to concepts particularly of relevance to this project deliverable, including ‘multi-hazard’, ‘hazard interrelationships’, ‘multi-risk’ and ‘direct and indirect loss and risk’. Underpinned by a literature review and internal consultation, we include a specific section on indicators, how these might be applied within a multi-hazard and multi-risk context, and how existing indicators could be adapted to consider multi-risk management. We emphasise that there are a number of established glossaries that the project (and risk community) should make use of to strengthen the impact of the work we do, noting in our literature review a tendency in papers and reports to define words afresh. We conclude the report with a selection of key observations, including terminology matters – for all aspects of disaster risk management, for example communication, data collection, measuring progress and reporting against Sendai Framework targets. At the same time, we discuss when is it helpful to include ‘multi-‘ as a prefix, questioning whether part of the paradigm shift needed to successfully address complex challenges facing an interconnected world is through inherently seeing vulnerability, exposure and disaster risk through the lens of multiple, interrelated hazards. We emphasise that there is likely to be an evolution of the terminology throughout the project lifetime as terms are emerge or shift as the project evolves. Finally, we propose a roadmap for developing and testing draft multi-risk indicators in MYRIAD-EU. The WP1 team would like to acknowledge all the contributions of the consortium on this task and the feedback from the External Advisory Board, in particular the chair of the board Virginia Murray, Head of Global Disaster Risk Reduction at the UK Health Security Agency, and the contribution of Jenty Kirsch-Wood, Head of Global Risk Management and Reporting at UNDRR, for her reflections on the findings of this work

Reducing Risks Together: a systemic approach to reducing disaster risk in Europe

<p><strong>Executive summary & Recommendations </strong></p><p>In the last months, we have seen intense heat waves and wildfires across large parts of southern Europe, while Serbia, Kosovo, and Romania have endured devastating floods. Additionally, Northern Italy has faced an unexpected predicament as floods followed a period of drought. The Netherlands experienced the longest dry spell on record (34 days without rainfall), followed by a very wet July and the most severe summer windstorm (Poly) on record. To reduce the risk of such multi-hazard events, we need a more systemic approach to risk management. This is what the MYRIAD-EU project aims to achieve: Reducing Risks Together. </p><p>Natural hazards in the EU have exacted a heavy toll, resulting in approximately ~236,000 fatalities and over €640 billion in economic losses since 2000 (EEA-CATDAT, 2023). The examples above - all of which have taken place in the last few months - reiterate the need to urgently move towards a more holistic approach to disaster risk management, as also stated in the recent Mid Term Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR, 2023). The MYRIAD-EU project is designed to <strong>catalyse the paradigm shift </strong>required to move <strong>towards a multi-risk, multi-sector, systemic approach to risk assessment and management. </strong>This policy brief summarises key policy learnings from the first 1.5 years of this Horizon-2020 funded project, culminating in the following key recommendations: </p><ol><li><strong>Real-world applications are vital: </strong>We recommend efforts to widen the number of real-world detailed case studies throughout the EU, in order to gather good practices and share learning across regions. </li><li><strong>Terminology matters: </strong>We recommend further harmonising key terminologies related to multi-hazard-risk into international frameworks and promoting consistency in understanding across research-policy-practice nexus. The glossary developed in MYRIAD-EU can serve as a starting point. </li><li><strong>Multi-hazard data are required for evidence-based policy making: </strong>We have developed a global multi-hazard event dataset that can be used in multi-risk assessment. This supports the EU's evidence-based policy making and the risk and resilience knowledge portals and hubs. </li><li><strong>Leverage synergies between Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA): </strong>Developing future pathways that address DRR and climate change adaptation can help to achieve several policy goals at once. Further integration of these agendas within EU policy is recommended to help develop a shared vision for a sustainable future. </li><li><strong>Promote systemic, multi-risk thinking: </strong>Co-developing novel interdisciplinary approaches aimed at assessing, evaluating, managing and communicating multi-risk issues with engaged stakeholders can contribute to the paradigm shift. </li></ol><p> </p&gt

Reducing Risks Together: a systemic approach to reducing disaster risk in Europe

<p><strong>Executive summary & Recommendations </strong></p><p>In the last months, we have seen intense heat waves and wildfires across large parts of southern Europe, while Serbia, Kosovo, and Romania have endured devastating floods. Additionally, Northern Italy has faced an unexpected predicament as floods followed a period of drought. The Netherlands experienced the longest dry spell on record (34 days without rainfall), followed by a very wet July and the most severe summer windstorm (Poly) on record. To reduce the risk of such multi-hazard events, we need a more systemic approach to risk management. This is what the MYRIAD-EU project aims to achieve: Reducing Risks Together. </p><p>Natural hazards in the EU have exacted a heavy toll, resulting in approximately ~236,000 fatalities and over €640 billion in economic losses since 2000 (EEA-CATDAT, 2023). The examples above - all of which have taken place in the last few months - reiterate the need to urgently move towards a more holistic approach to disaster risk management, as also stated in the recent Mid Term Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR, 2023). The MYRIAD-EU project is designed to <strong>catalyse the paradigm shift </strong>required to move <strong>towards a multi-risk, multi-sector, systemic approach to risk assessment and management. </strong>This policy brief summarises key policy learnings from the first 1.5 years of this Horizon-2020 funded project, culminating in the following key recommendations: </p><ol><li><strong>Real-world applications are vital: </strong>We recommend efforts to widen the number of real-world detailed case studies throughout the EU, in order to gather good practices and share learning across regions. </li><li><strong>Terminology matters: </strong>We recommend further harmonising key terminologies related to multi-hazard-risk into international frameworks and promoting consistency in understanding across research-policy-practice nexus. The glossary developed in MYRIAD-EU can serve as a starting point. </li><li><strong>Multi-hazard data are required for evidence-based policy making: </strong>We have developed a global multi-hazard event dataset that can be used in multi-risk assessment. This supports the EU's evidence-based policy making and the risk and resilience knowledge portals and hubs. </li><li><strong>Leverage synergies between Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA): </strong>Developing future pathways that address DRR and climate change adaptation can help to achieve several policy goals at once. Further integration of these agendas within EU policy is recommended to help develop a shared vision for a sustainable future. </li><li><strong>Promote systemic, multi-risk thinking: </strong>Co-developing novel interdisciplinary approaches aimed at assessing, evaluating, managing and communicating multi-risk issues with engaged stakeholders can contribute to the paradigm shift. </li></ol><p> </p&gt