A dialogue in practice. joint. Integrating climate change adaptation into. civil protection

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1 A dialogue in practice Integrating climate change adaptation into joint civil protection Emilia Wahlström Programme Officer Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit OCHA Emergency Services Branch Geneva, Switzerland

2 Content Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit introduction Presentation of relevant findings from reports and studies Linking climate change adaptation to civil protection recommendations and ways forward

3 Environmental Emergencies An environmental emergency is defined as a sudden onset disaster or accident resulting from natural, technological or human-induced factors, or a combination of these, that cause or threaten to cause severe environmental damage as well as harm to human health and/or livelihoods. UNEP Governing Council, 13 November 2002

4 Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit VISION Our vision is for countries to be better prepared, more resilient and able to effectively respond to environmental emergencies. MISSION To mobilise and coordinate a comprehensive response to environmental emergencies to protect lives, livelihoods, ecosystems, and future generations.

5 Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit Technical expertise + Humanitarian coordination = Prepared Response

6 Priorities RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS ENVIRONMENT IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION

7 Baia Mare cyanide spill, Romania, 2000 Talvivaara spill, Finland, 2012

8 Preparedness in a changing world Improving linkages between environmental emergency response, contingency planning and preparedness The implications of climate change and urbanization for environmental emergency preparedness and response

9 Linking climate change and civil protection Widely acknowledged need to closer link climate change adaptation with disaster risk reduction and with civil protection (Rio +20, HFA 2) at policy as well as practical level Study 1 conducted in Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands shows that CC and CP have different policy cultures (transforming society vs. protecting today s society from external threats) Differences in countries institutions should be taken into account (e.g. level of centralization) Groven, Aall, van den Berg et al. (2012) Integrating climate change adaptation into civil protection: comparative lessons from Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.

10 Role of civil protection in climate change Switzerland study on climate change impacts on civil protection Extreme weather events probably most relevant for CP, but Information and models still lacking (quantification) Risks and hazard analysis must lead to actions Coordination local-regional crucial (resources, response) CP can play a role in EW (heatwaves, fires, drought)

11 Recommendations Harmonizing overarching policies; ensuring wide consultations Widening discussion and creating awareness Bringing schools of thought closer: Bridging the gap between reducing vulnerabilities and handling the crisis Long-term vs. short-term (monitoring and assessment tools) Preparedness and prevention can act as a link Acknowledging the role of local authorities, responders and communities

12 Environmental Emergencies Centre Online preparedness tool designed to strengthen the capacity of vulnerable countries to environmental emergencies Prepare, build capacity & raise awareness Tools, guidelines & training Networks

13 Training The JEU develops introductory and advanced trainings on a variety of environmental emergency preparedness and response topics Workshops and trainings EEC elearning modules elearning modules available at

14 joint

15 Response In the first hours after an environmental emergency, the JEU can mobilise experts and equipment to the affected area Rapid deployment of experts Rapid environmental assessments Onsite sampling and analysis

16 Recent Activities Chemical / industrial accident risks and preparedness around city of Toamasina Madagascar 2013 Joint JEU / European Commission mission to assess risks and capacities around Ambatovy mining site (cobalt, nickel) and Toamasina port Based on the scoping mission, a chemical / industrial accidents program was developed

17 Recent Activities Typhoon Bopha passed through the Philippines from Mindanao to Palawan between 4-7 December 2012 Philippines million Affected 481,000 Beneficiaries 368,672 Displaced $65 million Requested Environmental expert integrated into UN disaster assessment team Desk review and field support of $65 million response and recovery plan

18 Recent Activities Fire triggers series of explosions at munitions depot in Brazzaville Republic of Congo 2012 > 250 dead > 3,000 injured > 20,000 displaced UNDAC team deployed to assess secondary impacts on industrial facilities UNDAC team took groundwater and soil samples

19 Preparedness Contingency planning, training, and awareness raising on the impacts of environmental emergencies Environmental Emergencies Centre (EEC) Preparedness trainings

20 Recent Activities Scoping mission to support the Government in assessing industrial / chemical hazards and developing environmental emergency preparedness The Gambia 2013 Three main areas of preparedness: Policy and legal framework (Industrial) hazard mapping Contingency planning for environmental emergencies Integrate priority environmental emergency issues into the National Plan of Action for Disaster Risk Reduction (jointly with CADRI)

21 Recent Activities The training consisted of an elearning module, a five-day training workshop and a field visit Turkey 2013 Five-day training 27 experts from 11 countries in the Mediterranean region + Balkans In partnership with PPRD South (Euromed Programme on Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural and Man-made Disasters), UNEP, SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation)

22 Environment in Humanitarian Action Integration of environmental considerations across the whole humanitarian programmatic cycle Country-specific support Update of guidance and input of key environmental elements Raise awareness Establish an Environmental Reference Group