Climate and Disaster Risk Information

Current data-based approaches to global threat and risk management often fall into two pitfalls when approaching risk.  The first of these is the view that risk is based on a hazardous event, but this view blinds us to only seeing one threat at a time, rather than acknowledging multiple, concurrent threats, emerging global threats or slower development trends that can lead to uncertainty and increased levels of future risk.  A similar common pitfall is the hindsight approach to risk. To break away from these pitfalls, a key challenge going forward will be to equip risk management actors with the most relevant information and data needed to analyze multidimensional risks. This data must be informed by hindsight from the past but also foresight of multiple changing futures and insights of current-day systemic risk to give policymakers the power to remain resilient and make informed decisions. Through the enhancement and promotion of comprehensive risk analysis and digital tools which bring to light past, present and future-looking data on complex risk, we can build future-oriented policies and initiatives to support risk-informed decision making and address the fundamental barriers which stifle sustainable development.

UNDP offers services to conceptualize, develop and maintain solutions for strengthened analysis of risks. UNDP can support partners through remote and on-site technical advice, development and deployment of data-oriented technologies, advisory and technical assistance on integration of risk analysis in wider development planning, and deployment of short-term capacities. Through its Country Offices, UNDP also provides risk analysis support to the wider UNCT and UN System. Key service offers comprise:

• Developing capacities for risk-informed development: driving the risk-informed process through   evidence, risk awareness and understanding the links between risk and development.
• Risk Assessment & Analysis Tools: Apply and/or adapt a range of methodologies for practitioners.
• Research & knowledge: Support for innovative, interdisciplinary and applied research.
• Policy and programme support to risk-informed development: Support to countries on integration of risk information in development processes through development and the implementation of projects.