Catalyst Brochure - CATALYST project (EU)
Transcription
Catalyst Brochure - CATALYST project (EU)
Capacity development for hazard risk reduction and adaptation October 2011 - September 2013 CATALYST Funded by: the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement 283177 Duration: October 2011 - September 2013 Coordinator: seeconsult GmbH, Germany Contact: Matt Hare, seeconsult GmbH email: [email protected] website: www.catalyst-project.eu EUROPEAN COMMISSION Why CATALYST? Living with risk Each year, natural disasters wreak havoc across the globe, uprooting the lives and disrupting the livelihoods of millions of people in rich and poor countries alike. In 2010, floods, droughts, tornados, tsunamis, earthquakes and landslides caused nearly 300,000 deaths and more than €70 billion in damages worldwide. Thanks to dedicated research and enlightened policies, a growing number of countries and communities have strengthened their capacities for natural hazard and disaster risk reduction and adaptation. Yet, only limited steps have been taken to integrate this knowledge into overall development, planning and environmental policies and practices. Natural disasters are on the rise, not only due to growing populations and increasing urbanisation, but also due to environmental challenges such as climate change. A key challenge is to narrow the divide between researchers’ and practitioners’ understanding of natural hazards and disaster risk and the prevailing forces driving economic development that have made disaster risk reduction and adaptation a low priority among policy makers and development experts. We may not be able to prevent natural disasters happening, but we do have the capabilities to reduce the risks that natural disasters pose to lives and property. More importantly, we can take effective measures to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of disasters. Who is Catalyst for? Catalyst brings together existing networks of re searchers, policy and decision makers, members of nongovernmental organisations, and small- and medium-sized enterprises to identify and share information about best practices and critical knowledge gaps. Bridging gaps Reducing risk together CATALYST is designed to create a wide range of opportunities for existing networks of researchers, policy and decision makers, members of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), and small- and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) to identify and share knowledge about best practices related to natural hazards and disaster risk reduction and adaptation. The ultimate goal is to bring knowledge of risk management to bear on issues such as water resources management, land use planning and economic development. Natural hazard and disaster risk reduction and adaptation should then become critical components of the sustainablity agenda. Catalyst regional focus European Mediterranean Central America and Caribbean South Asia West Africa East Africa South-East Asia Capacity cycle ne ss R e sp on s e decide under pressure, protect the vulnerable plan in advance, learn to anticipate Capacity development Re c o ver y Project members seek to: • Facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen the science-policy interface • Add value to the existing body of knowledge on natural hazard and disaster risk reduction and adaptation • Identify critical gaps in current natural hazard and disaster risk reduction and adaptation knowledge and research • Reinforce networking capacity worldwide • Strengthen the capacity of governments, NGOs and SMEs to integrate natural hazard and disaster risk reduction and adaptation practices into their policies, plans and programmes •Disseminate project findings in ways that help bridge the gap between the scientific and policy communities. re d Specifically, CATALYST focuses on climatic hazards (cyclones, droughts, heat waves and floods) as well as tectonic hazards (earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides). Key outputs include: • Global and regional think tanks for researchers and practitioners •Regional workshops and virtual meetings focusing on East and West Africa, South and South-East Asia, Central America and the Caribbean and the European Mediterranean • Creation of an interactive website including an online forum for knowledge and information exchange •Development of web-based archives comprised of best practices and case studies • Publication of policy briefs and a best-practices handbook. P repa CATALYST does not seek to create new knowledge. Rather, it explores ways to more effectively assemble, analyse and use the rapidly expanding knowledge base in this growing field of study. assess risk, St acknowledge uncertainty, op ha za rd learn how to protect s fr om Mit t u r n i n g i nt o d i s a s t e igation rs invest wisely, know who needs help Sharing knowledge Finding common ground A core activity of CATALYST is to convene researchers, practitioners and policy makers in a think tank designed to facilitate face-to-face and virtual ex changes on best practices involving natural hazard and disaster risk reduction and adaptation. CATALYST seeks to foster discussions on such issues as information and data gaps, methodological limitations, and the disconnect that often exists between the research and policy communities. The think tank is an opportunity for CATALYST’s diverse group of participants to share information and experiences. Goals in brief The goal of CATALYST is to improve, globally, capacity development in disaster risk reduction in response to natural hazards, using adaptive management and integrative approaches and focusing on social vulnerability, integrated risk assessment and the full-spectrum of risk reduction practices (prevention, relief, rehabilitation and development). Outcomes To prepare and adapt more effectively to hazards and disasters through: • Strengthened stakeholder networks • Improved policies and practices • Improved capacity of government agencies, NGOs and SMEs. The web archive and online information exchange will include a wide range of materials related to the project and ensure that this is made available to as wide an audience as possible. At the conclusion of the project, the website and archive will be transferred to a public-sector organization or an SME involved in natural hazard and disaster risk reduction and adaptation to ensure that the project continues to foster information exchange and networking activities beyond its duration. Partners Seeconsult GmbH Project Coordinator Osnabrück, Germany www.seeconsult.org Contact: Matt Hare [email protected] / +49 541 760 2828 11 Alterra Wageningen, The Netherlands www.alterra.wur.nl Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) Milan, Italy www.feem.it Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Department of Hydrology Copenhagen, Denmark www.geus.dk Hemholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ) Department of Urban Environmental Sociology Leipzig, Germany www.ufz.de United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) Bonn, Germany www.ehs.unu.edu TWAS the academy of sciences for the developing world Trieste, Italy www.twas.org www.catalyst-project.eu a project funded by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme FP7 Design: Studio Link, Trieste – Printing: Stella, Trieste – Photo credits: p. 1 Karim Aoudia; Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/ GSFC; Wikipedia/FEMA News Photo; p. 2 Justin1569 at en.wikipedia; Karim Aoudia; Wikipedia/David Rydevik; Wikipedia/DVIDSHUB; p. 7 Flickr/ Nashville Corps; Flickr/DFID Rafiqur Rahman Raqu; Wikipedia/Gossipguy; p. 8 Morguefile/hotblack; Morguefile/Tahoe1231; Wikipedia/AnTic