The inaugural meeting of the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group under India’s G20 Presidency took place recently. The meeting served as an avenue to underline the importance of disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts, emphasising that these efforts are crucial in the face of increasing weather extremes.
Key Discussion Points of the Meeting
The meeting of the G20 DRR WG emphasized the need for governments to implement social protection systems equipped to finance disaster risk. It advocated for new-age Social Protection Systems to invest in local risk resilience, aiming to mitigate, prepare and recover from disasters.
The five key priorities tabled were:
1. Worldwide coverage of early warning systems.
2. Increased commitment towards making infrastructure systems disaster resilient.
3. Stronger national financial frameworks for DRR.
4. Strengthened national and global disaster response systems.
5. Increased application of ecosystems-based approaches to DRR.
Furthermore, the working group indicated its intention to consider the Sendai Framework’s mid-term review, renew multilateral cooperation at all levels, and inform future global policies and initiatives related to DRR.
Creating a Collective G20 Framework for DRR is Essential
Out of the top 10 vulnerable countries on the World Risk Index, four are G20 nations. Given the massive population and concentrated asset risk, disaster risk mitigation for these nations becomes imperative. The estimated annual loss in the G20 countries alone stands at a whopping USD 218 billion, which equates to 9% of their average annual investment in infrastructure. DRR measures can effectively prevent such enormous losses.
Suggested Strategies for Reducing Disaster Risk
Some of the proposed ways to reduce disaster risk include better economic and urban development, reduced poverty and inequality and enhanced environmental protection. For instance, efficient management of flood risk can significantly reduce the impact of Extreme Weather Conditions in countries like India.
Another crucial aspect is financing. The need to re-imagine financing disaster risk reduction given the limitations faced by countries in financing DRR through government budgets cannot be overemphasized. Innovative financing tools such as creating reserve funds, dedicated lines of credit and tapping into global resources should be explored.
Infrastructure also plays a key role in reducing disaster risk. Publically funded infrastructure like roads, railways, airports, and electricity lines should, therefore, be resilient to disasters.
Dealing with Extensive and Intensive Risk
Strategies need to differentiate between extensive risk (risk of losses from frequently moderate impacts) and intensive risk (from low frequency and high impact events). Collective cumulated losses from dispersed events such as heatwaves, lightning, local floods, and landslides can be colossal. Targeted approaches to reduce losses from extensive risk events could have an impact in the short to medium-term horizon.
DRR Calls for Multi-tiered, Multi-sectoral Effort
A multi-tiered, multi-sectoral approach is necessary for effective disaster risk reduction. The level of readiness to manage unknown risks would be significantly enhanced if efforts are integrated from local, sub-national, national to global, and across all sectors.
Global and National Initiatives for Disaster Risk Reduction
Internationally, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030; the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS); observing International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13th October and the Green Climate Fund’s Sectoral Guide on Climate Information & Early Warning Systems are some of the initiatives in place for DRR.
India has its own set of initiatives, namely, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Society (CDRIS) and the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP).
The Path Ahead
The G20 should foster collaboration and coordination among its members on early warning systems, disaster-resilient infrastructure, financial frameworks, and response systems for DRR. Innovation and research, particularly in the use of technology, data and ecosystems-based approaches, should be promoted.
DRR efforts should also align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the New Urban Agenda. The Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction provides a leadership opportunity for the G20 in implementing the Sendai framework over the next seven years.