Integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the cooperation framework: Lessons, good practices and opportunities ahead (October 2025) – ReliefWeb

Report on Integrating Risk Management into the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for SDG Achievement

1.0 Introduction

This report summarizes key lessons from the implementation of the 2020–2025 guidance on Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) within the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The primary objective of this integration is to build resilient societies capable of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by systematically addressing climate and disaster risks. An updated, comprehensive guidance note is anticipated for publication in 2026 to further support the design and implementation of the Cooperation Framework in alignment with the 2030 Agenda.

2.0 Key Lessons for Accelerating SDG Progress

The following lessons have been identified as critical for ensuring that development efforts are sustainable, risk-informed, and directly contribute to the achievement of multiple SDGs, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

1. Comprehensive Risk Analysis for Resilient Development

   To effectively advance the SDGs, Cooperation Framework interventions must be based on a comprehensive analysis of both short-term and long-term risks. This includes hazards exacerbated by climate change, which threaten progress across all development goals. A holistic understanding of risk is fundamental to protecting vulnerable communities and safeguarding development gains, directly supporting the resilience targets within the SDGs.

2. Risk-Informing Interventions to Strengthen SDG Outcomes

   All proposed interventions within the Cooperation Framework must be systematically reviewed to assess their contribution to reducing risk and vulnerability. This process, which can be enhanced by stress-testing the Framework against various risk scenarios, ensures that development programming actively builds long-term resilience. This approach is essential for ensuring the durability of outcomes related to poverty reduction (SDG 1), food security (SDG 2), and infrastructure (SDG 9).

3. Leveraging Partnerships for Integrated Risk Management

   In line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the establishment of cross-cutting, inter-agency groups focused on DRR and risk management has proven effective. These collaborative structures are particularly valuable where existing capacities are limited, allowing for a more coherent and integrated UN response to complex risks that cut across the mandates of different agencies and threaten the interconnected nature of the SDGs.

4. Continuous Risk Monitoring for Adaptive SDG Programming

   Effective risk management is not a one-time exercise conducted only at the design stage of the Cooperation Framework. Continuous monitoring of evolving risks is necessary throughout the implementation cycle. This allows for adaptive management and ensures that UN country-level programming remains relevant and effective in a dynamic risk landscape, thereby protecting and sustaining progress towards all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

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

   The article’s focus on integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) into development frameworks connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs addressed are:

   • SDG 1 (No Poverty): Disasters and climate change disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable. By focusing on risk reduction and resilience, the article addresses the goal of protecting these populations from shocks that can push them into or deeper into poverty.
   • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): This goal includes specific targets for reducing the impact of disasters on human settlements. The article’s core theme of DRR is central to making cities and communities more resilient and safer.
   • SDG 13 (Climate Action): The article explicitly mentions “Climate Change Adaptation” and managing risks “exacerbated by climate change.” This directly aligns with the call to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity.
   • SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The article discusses the “United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework” and the role of “cross-cutting inter-agency DRR/risk management groups.” This highlights the need for coherent policies and multi-stakeholder partnerships to effectively implement risk management strategies.

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

   Based on the key themes of the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 1.5: “By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.” The article’s emphasis on reviewing interventions based on how they “contribute to reducing risk and vulnerability and enabling long-term resilience pathways” directly supports this target.
   • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters…” The entire premise of integrating DRR into cooperation frameworks is aimed at mitigating the human and economic impact of disasters.
   • Target 11.b: “…implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.” The article describes a “Guidance Note” for integrating DRR and CCA into the UN Cooperation Framework, which is a clear example of implementing holistic disaster risk management policies and plans.
   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The article’s title and content, which focus on “Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation” and building “Resilience,” are perfectly aligned with this target.
   • Target 17.14: “Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.” The guidance note itself is a tool to ensure that development cooperation policy is coherent with climate and disaster risk management objectives, preventing siloed approaches.

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

   The article does not mention specific quantitative indicators from the official SDG framework. However, it implies several process-oriented indicators that can be used to measure the implementation of the strategies discussed:

   • Implementation of integrated strategies: A key implied indicator is the extent to which the “Guidance Note on Using Climate and Disaster Risk Management” is adopted and implemented within the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. This measures progress towards Target 11.b.
   • Conduct of comprehensive risk analysis: The article states that “Risk analysis and Cooperation Framework interventions must consider a broad range of both short-term and long-term risks.” The practice of conducting such analyses can serve as an indicator of a country’s capacity to manage risk (relevant to Targets 1.5 and 13.1).
   • Stress-testing of development frameworks: The recommendation to “Stress-test the Cooperation Framework against multiple risk and/or foresight scenarios” is an implied indicator of the robustness and resilience of national development planning.
   • Establishment of inter-agency mechanisms: The formation and effectiveness of “Cross-cutting inter-agency DRR/risk management groups” can be used as an indicator to measure progress on partnership and institutional coordination for risk management, as called for in Target 17.14.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from the article)
   SDG 1: No Poverty	1.5: Build the resilience of the poor and reduce their vulnerability to climate-related events and disasters.	The practice of reviewing all Cooperation Framework interventions for their contribution to reducing risk and vulnerability.
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.5: Significantly reduce deaths, number of people affected, and economic losses from disasters.	Implementation of Cooperation Frameworks that integrate DRR and CCA.
   	11.b: Implement holistic disaster risk management at all levels.	Adoption and roll-out of the “Guidance Note on Using Climate and Disaster Risk Management” in development planning.
   SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.	Conduct of risk analyses that include long-term climate change risks; Stress-testing of Cooperation Frameworks against risk scenarios.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.	Establishment and functioning of cross-cutting inter-agency DRR/risk management groups to ensure coherent risk management objectives.

Source: reliefweb.int