Preparing communities to deal with the impacts of climate change – World Meteorological Organization WMO

Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and its Central Role in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Intersection of Climate Change, Disasters, and Sustainable Development

The increasing frequency and intensity of storms and other destructive disasters, exacerbated by worsening climate change, pose a significant threat to global development progress. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), led by Special Representative Kamal Kishore, is at the forefront of preparing communities to manage these impacts. This work is not a standalone effort but is intrinsically linked to the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Core Mandate of the UNDRR in the Context of the SDGs

The primary function of the UNDRR is to build resilience and reduce vulnerability to disasters. This mandate directly supports the achievement of multiple SDGs by addressing the root causes and impacts of disasters on societies, economies, and ecosystems.

Direct Alignment with Key Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The UNDRR’s efforts are a critical component of climate change adaptation. By preparing communities for climate-related hazards, the office directly contributes to Target 13.1, which aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: A central goal of disaster risk reduction is to make human settlements safer and more resilient. This directly addresses Target 11.5, which calls for a significant reduction in the number of deaths and people affected by disasters, as well as a decrease in direct economic losses.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: Disasters disproportionately impact the poorest and most vulnerable populations, often reversing development gains and trapping people in cycles of poverty. By reducing disaster risk, the UNDRR’s work helps protect livelihoods and assets, contributing directly to the eradication of poverty.

Cross-Cutting Contributions to the 2030 Agenda

The impact of disaster risk reduction extends across the entire framework of the SDGs. Strategic interventions in this area provide foundational support for other global goals:

1. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Protecting healthcare facilities from disasters and ensuring the continuity of health services during emergencies is a key outcome of effective risk reduction.
2. SDG 4 (Quality Education): Ensuring schools are built to resilient standards and that educational continuity is maintained in the aftermath of a disaster is vital for long-term development.
3. SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): A core principle of disaster risk reduction is the promotion of resilient infrastructure, which is essential for sustainable industrialization and economic stability.

Conclusion

The work of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction is fundamental to safeguarding development progress in an era of increasing climate-related threats. By integrating disaster risk reduction strategies into national and local planning, member states can build resilience that not only protects citizens but also accelerates the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article primarily addresses two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its focus on climate change, its consequences in the form of disasters, and the need for community preparedness.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This goal is directly addressed through the article’s opening statement: “Worsening climate change often means bigger storms and destructive disasters.” This establishes a clear link between climate change and its severe impacts, which is the central theme of SDG 13.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is connected through the article’s emphasis on disaster risk reduction and community resilience. The text highlights the role of the UN’s Office of Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in “Preparing communities to deal with the impacts of climate change.” This directly relates to making human settlements, including cities and communities, safer and more resilient to disasters.

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

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

   The article’s core message about “Preparing communities to deal with the impacts of climate change” and the work of the UNDRR in disaster risk reduction is a direct reflection of this target. It focuses on building the capacity of communities to withstand and adapt to climate-related disasters like “bigger storms.”

2. 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 mention of “destructive disasters” implies a focus on mitigating their human and economic costs. The work of the UNDRR, as highlighted, is aimed at reducing the negative consequences of such events, which is the main objective of this target.

3. Target 11.b: …substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards… adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement… holistic disaster risk management at all levels.

   The phrase “Preparing communities” suggests the implementation of plans and strategies for disaster resilience. The involvement of a specialized UN office (UNDRR) points to the development and implementation of holistic disaster risk management, which is the essence of Target 11.b.

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 explicitly mention any quantitative indicators. However, the concepts discussed strongly imply the types of indicators used to measure progress toward the identified targets.

• Implied Indicator for Target 13.1 and 11.b: The article’s focus on the UNDRR’s role in “Preparing communities” implies the importance of having formal strategies in place. Progress could be measured by Indicator 13.1.2 / 11.b.2: “Number of countries and local governments that have adopted and implemented local disaster risk reduction strategies.” The existence of such strategies is a primary step in preparing communities.
• Implied Indicator for Target 11.5: The article’s concern with “bigger storms and destructive disasters” implies a need to track their impact. Progress in disaster risk reduction would be measured by a decrease in the negative outcomes of these events, which relates to Indicator 11.5.1: “Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population” and Indicator 11.5.2: “Direct economic loss in relation to global GDP… attributed to disasters.” The goal of preparing communities is to reduce these numbers.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wmo.int