Global synthesis report on Comprehensive Risk Management: Charting a path towards resilient futures – Summary – ReliefWeb

Global Synthesis Report on Comprehensive Risk Management and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Integrating Risk Management for Sustainable Development

A global synthesis report on Comprehensive Risk Management (CRM) provides an analysis of how integrated approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate action are being advanced to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Escalating and interconnected climate and disaster risks pose a significant threat to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), necessitating a shift from reactive crisis response to proactive, risk-informed development. This report offers a global snapshot of how countries are leveraging CRM to align DRR and climate action, thereby safeguarding development gains and fostering resilience in line with the SDGs.

Alignment of Global Frameworks with the 2030 Agenda

The report evaluates progress, identifies gaps, and highlights good practices in translating key global frameworks into integrated actions that directly support the SDGs. The primary frameworks under review include:

• The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
• The Paris Agreement on Climate Change
• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Analysis of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and national DRR strategies, supported by AI-informed analysis, reveals promising trends and persistent gaps in achieving coherence across governance, financing, and implementation. This coherence is critical for the successful attainment of multiple SDGs, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Key Recommendations for Accelerating Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals

1. Strengthen Governance for Coherent and Resilient Development

   Engage high-level leadership to align climate action, DRR, and national development strategies. This integration is fundamental to building strong, effective, and accountable institutions as outlined in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and ensuring that development pathways are resilient to shocks.

2. Improve Coordination and Inclusiveness for Effective Partnerships

   Enhance coordination mechanisms that clarify roles, connect sectors, and empower local leadership. This fosters the multi-stakeholder partnerships essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and promotes inclusive and safe communities as targeted by SDG 11.

3. Develop a Shared Understanding of Risk to Inform SDG Planning

   Utilize integrated data and comprehensive risk assessments to inform national and local planning. A robust understanding of disaster and climate risk is crucial for protecting critical infrastructure (SDG 9), ensuring food security (SDG 2), and safeguarding all development investments.

4. Increase and Align Financing for Climate Action and DRR

   Mobilise and track financial resources jointly for DRR and climate action, with a focus on supporting local implementation. Aligning financial flows is a core component of SDG 13 and is vital for providing the necessary resources to eradicate poverty (SDG 1) and build resilience among the most vulnerable.

5. Establish Robust Monitoring and Evaluation Systems for Accountability

   Create holistic Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) frameworks to track progress, identify implementation gaps, and ensure accountability towards the 2030 Agenda. Such systems are essential for measuring progress on all SDG targets and adapting strategies for greater effectiveness.

6. Translate Global Frameworks into Local Implementation

   Ensure global commitments are effectively translated into concrete implementation at the national and subnational levels. The achievement of the entire 2030 Agenda depends on turning global goals into tangible actions that build resilience and promote sustainable development within communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on Comprehensive Risk Management (CRM) directly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals by emphasizing the integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate action, and sustainable development. The following SDGs are addressed:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article’s core focus on disaster risk reduction and building resilience is central to making human settlements safe and sustainable. It discusses the need for integrated policies and actions to manage disaster risks, which is a key component of SDG 11.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: This goal is explicitly and repeatedly mentioned. The report’s purpose is to provide a “global snapshot of how countries, regions, and institutions are advancing Comprehensive Risk Management (CRM) to align disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate action.” It calls for strengthening resilience and integrating climate action into national strategies.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article highlights the need for effective governance and institutions. Recommendations such as “Strengthen governance for coherence and resilience” and “Establish robust monitoring and evaluation systems” to ensure accountability directly relate to building effective and accountable institutions at all levels.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The report emphasizes coherence and collaboration. It calls for translating “global frameworks into implementation,” improving “coordination and inclusiveness across levels and stakeholders,” and aligning “financing for DRR and climate action,” all of which are fundamental aspects of strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s discussion of integrating policies, strengthening resilience, and improving governance, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.
   • Explanation: The article’s analysis of “national DRR strategies” and its call to translate global frameworks like the Sendai Framework into “integrated, risk-informed policies and actions” directly aligns with this target.
2. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Explanation: The entire premise of the article is to shift from “reactive crisis response to proactive, risk-informed action” to manage escalating “climate and disaster risks,” which is the essence of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity.
3. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • Explanation: The report explicitly states it draws on an “analysis of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and national DRR strategies” to find pathways for coherence, directly addressing the integration of climate measures into national planning.
4. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Explanation: The recommendation to “Strengthen governance for coherence and resilience” and “Establish robust monitoring and evaluation systems… to ensure accountability” points directly to the development of more effective and accountable institutions for managing climate and disaster risk.
5. Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.
   • Explanation: A central theme of the article is achieving coherence. It seeks to identify “practical pathways for coherence across governance, financing, and implementation” by aligning “climate action, DRR, and development strategies.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets, primarily through its methodology and recommendations:

• Indicator 11.b.1 / 13.2.1: The article states that its analysis is based on “National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and national DRR strategies from around the world.” This directly implies the use of indicators that track the number of countries with such plans. This corresponds to official indicators like Indicator 11.b.1 (Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030) and Indicator 13.2.1 (Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change).
• Financial Flow Indicators: The recommendation to “Increase and align financing for DRR and climate action: Mobilise and track resources jointly for DRR and climate action” implies the need for indicators to measure financial commitments and flows. This relates to indicators such as Indicator 13.a.1 (Amounts provided and mobilized in United States dollars per year in relation to the continued existing collective mobilization goal of the $100 billion commitment).
• Governance and M&E Framework Indicators: The call to “Establish robust monitoring and evaluation systems” and create “holistic M&E frameworks to track progress, identify gaps, and ensure accountability” implies the development and use of country-specific indicators. The existence and quality of these M&E frameworks could themselves be an indicator of progress towards building effective institutions (SDG 16).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: reliefweb.int