The degradation of ecosystems – such as forests, wetlands, drylands, and coastal and marine systems – is a major driver of disaster risk and a key component of communities’ vulnerability to disasters.
Over the past decade, disasters linked to natural hazards have taken a significant toll on human lives, livelihoods, assets, and economies. We work to prevent and reduce the adverse impacts of disasters on vulnerable communities and countries through improved ecosystem management. With our technical expertise and direct field experience, we support the integration of Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) into national and local development programmes and strategies. We are committed to accelerating the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through evidence-based advocacy, capacity development, partnerships, and field-testing of innovative Eco-DRR models that promote sustainable and resilient development.
Our Project
How do we upscale Eco-DRR measures to achieve greater impact nationally and globally?
Following this question, the European Commission awarded a 5-year project (21st December 2018 to 20th December 2023 ) to UNEP, in collaboration with Partners for Resilience (PfR), focusing on the scaling-up of Eco-DRR models and promoting large-scale implementation in 5 key countries:
Since 2013, our Eco-DRR activities have taken place across numerous countries: Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Colombia, Guatemala, Mali, Kenya, Oman, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, and Nigeria. Through this, we strive to inspire and improve capacity on Eco-DRR at the regional and global scale.
Global Advocacy
We provide advocacy and advisory support in major international conferences related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), environment, and climate change adaptation, including the Global Platform on DRR, the World Recovery and Reconstruction Conference, AI for Good Global Summit, Understanding Risk Forum, the World Reconstruction Conference, UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, Climate Adaptation Groningen, and the IUCN World Conservation Congress, among others.
In collaboration with partners, we also convene international and regional workshops, round-table discussions, and public outreach activities whether that’s in-person, virtual, or hybrid.
Capacity development and technical assistance
Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessments (ISEA): We have developed an ISEA tool to support decision-making and development planning while ensuring environmental sustainability and DRR are incorporated. The tool was piloted in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Opportunity mapping tool: With the support of the European Commission, the Government of Norway, and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), UNEP is collaborating with the Global Resource Information Database – Geneva (GRID-Geneva) to develop an Opportunity mapping tool for Eco-DRR. The ‘Opportunity mapping tool’ works by overlaying global datasets on ecosystem distribution and hazard exposure. This tool highlights areas of opportunities to restore or protect ecosystems to enhance DRR. Its aim is to raise awareness of the potential of Eco-DRR approaches and catalyse increased public and private investments in green infrastructure (e.g. coral reefs, coastal forests, protection forests on steep slopes).
National training course on Eco-DRR: We have delivered national-level trainings around the world, reaching more than 300 participants, mostly from government ministries. More details about the course can be found on the PEDRR website and in the course flyer.
Post-graduate course on Eco-DRR: Working with the Centers for Natural Resources and Development (CNRD), we developed a post-graduate course entitled “Disasters, Environment and Risk Reduction”. Approximately 75 universities worldwide are currently delivering the course or part of the course. The course has been translated into Spanish and French. It is available to Universities and National Training Institutions, following a simple registration process. For more information, please write to: contact@pedrr.org.
Training of instructors: To widen the reach of the graduate course, we have directly trained more than 300 faculty members from over 200 academic and teaching institutions.
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Disasters and Ecosystems: Resilience in a Changing Climate: In January 2015 in collaboration with the Cologne University of Applied Sciences, we developed a MOOC entitled “Disasters and Ecosystems: Resilience in a Changing Climate” through the iVersity MOOC platform and again in 2017-2018 through the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center e-learning platform. It aimed to enhance knowledge and skills for tackling complex issues such as resilience and transformation, sustainable development, ecosystem management, DRR, climate change adaptation, and how they can be operationalized. Together, the courses attracted over 17,000 participants from more than 183 countries and led to the establishment of the popular Facebook group: Disasters and Ecosystems.
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Disasters and Climate Resilience: With over 100,000 participants worldwide and 22,000 graduates, our popular MOOC on “Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Disasters and Climate Resilience” has now been extended until August 2025! Offered free of charge, the course highlights the pivotal role of Nature-based Solutions in reducing disaster risks and addressing the climate crisis. Featuring expert insights and real-world examples, the course equips participants with the knowledge to harness natural systems to protect communities and foster resilience. The course has been developed by experts from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Partnership of Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDDR);
Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR)
We actively support partnerships and networks to build a global community of decision-makers, advocates, and practitioners who integrate ecosystem management solutions for disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and development strategies. We are a core founder of the PEDRR, a global partnership of 25+ organisations that promotes ecosystem management as a key strategy to enable vulnerable communities and countries to reduce disaster risk and build resilience to disasters and climate change. In 2019, five regional PEDRR networks (Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, Middle East-North Africa/ West Asia, and Europe/North America) were created to support regional activities.
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Modern Technologies for DRR
Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies (4IR), such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Drones, are revolutionising all spheres of human activity. The domain of DRR is no exception.
We have been expanding our work with new technologies in the disaster management area with the aim of understanding the current state of affairs and what are the current applications of 4IR technologies. Our goal is to further identify opportunities and partners to promote these technologies for environmental emergency response in the future.
We focus on raising awareness and capacity building to increase the knowledge of the applications of these technologies in disaster management.
- Robotics in Disaster Management Webinar
- Artificial Intelligence in Disaster Management Webinar
- IoT in Disaster Management Webinar
- Drones in Disaster Management Webinar
- Ethical and Legal Implications of the Use of Modern Technologies in Disaster Management Webinar
- Landslide Prevention and Innovation Challenge. Join the hackathon!
In addition, we believe in the importance of having a holistic approach by fostering and strengthening partnerships. We have partnered with WMO and ITU to create a Focus Group in developing a community of engaged stakeholders and experts on AI and disaster management to help in laying the groundwork for best practices in the use of AI ion disaster prevention.
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