SWEDEN’S NATIONAL CHALLENGESIN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Janet Edwards, International Coordinator Swedish National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

EU project U-Score Mid-term Workshop Salford, United Kingdom

1-2 October 2015

Climate change: More rain in some parts for the Sweden, more flooding, more landslides, a warmer Sweden, more severe forest fires, larger cities,more chemicals, …

National Challenges for Disaster Risk Reduction

1. More actors at all levels (national, county and municipality) to work with disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and sustainable cities in an integrated way.

2. Development of a national strategy for disaster risk reduction.

3. Effective support to municipalities for taking mitigation measures.

Challenges for Building Resilience according to Sendai Framework

1. DRR, CCA and Sustainable Development

UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction to 2030March 2015, Sendai, Japan

UN Sustainable Development Summit to 2030September 2015, New York, USA

UN Climate Change Conference December 2015, Paris, France

2. National strategy for disaster risk reduction

Swedish National Platform for DRR commented during their planning meeting in May 2015:

Explain the need for such a strategy.The national government should give specific

instruction to the agencies (keep the government ministries informed).

Define what should be included. MSB should lead the work.Better integration with other crisis management work. Compatible with EU’s directives and initiatives.Use the guidelines for national, county and local risk

and vulnerability analyses as a base.Combine risk management, climate change

adaptation and sustainability. Consider risk scenarios.Arrange bilateral exchanges on the national level.

3. Support to municipalities for taking mitigation measures

Appropriations for risk maps (flood and landslide) according to law

Subsidies for climate change adapation measures

Crisis management agency cooperation and projects with many stakeholders

DRR Interventions from the National Level

The one most effective disaster resilience action …

DRR Interventions from the National Level

Should be in line with the 4 priorities of the Sendai Framework for DRR:

1. Understanding disaster risk.2. Strengthening disaster risk

governance to manage disaster risk.

3. Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience.

4. Enhance disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build back better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Photo GothenburgLennart Bernram

DRR Interventions from the National Level

Should be in line with the EU action, for example:

1. DG CLIMA National strategy for Climate change by 2017

2. DG ECHO Civil Protection Act

3. DG ENVIRONMENT EU Floods Directive

4. DG ENVIRONMENT EU Water Directive

1. Understanding disaster risk.What is it?Who has the expertise?Examples of how to do it.

2. Strengthening disaster risk government.

Sweden does it. 3. Investing in DRR for resilience.

How much money can the national government give to local level?Which municipalities should receive subsidies?

Effective Interventions from the National Level

The one most effective disaster resilience action …

1. Increased knowledge of DRR

What is it?Who has the expertise?Examples of how to do it.

The national level finances (in addition to funding from EU)research and development projects.

National and internationalcity-to-city learning exchanges.

Seminars, conferences.

2. Increased action for local level DRR

Risk identification/ risk mapping, risk assessments

(legal obligation)

Risk management plans / action plans (such as for EU Flood Directive)

National level financial support for mitigation measures

1. Many actors at all levels from many sectors and disciplines.

2. Integrate DRR with work with climate change adaptation and sustainable cities.

3. Work according to a national strategy for DRR and in accordance with EU directives and initiatives.

4. Dialog with and support to municipalities for mitigation measures.

How we can succeed