Publications

Climate and disaster resilience measurement: Persistent gaps in multiple hazards, methods, and practicability

Research article by Sara Mehryar on 7 Jul 2022

The authors of this paper offer a critical review and an assessment of approaches to climate and disaster resilience measurement with a particular focus on three issues: (1) the consideration of compounding socioeconomic and climatic risks in approaches to resilience measurement; (2) the methodological and technical aspects of resilience measurement; and (3) the application and practicability of resilience measurement across various contexts to reliably inform decision-making processes.

Acting on climate and poverty: if we fail on one, we fail on the other

Policy publication by Hans Peter Lankes, Eleonore Soubeyran, Nicholas Stern on 14 Apr 2022

In this policy insight, the authors explain how rising to the climate and poverty challenges in tandem can generate great gains for people and the environment across continents and create new paths for sustainable development and poverty reduction – while delayed action on climate change will entrench poverty around the world.

Supporting urban adaptation to climate change: What role can resilience measurement tools play?

Research article by Sara Mehryar, Idan Sasson, Swenja Surminski on 4 Dec 2021

Many approaches and tools have been developed and used to measure climate resilience in cities. The authors of this study explore if and how such tools can be or have been used to support decision-making for building urban climate resilience.

Organisational preparedness for the physical risks of climate change in the UK: headline findings from a UK-wide survey (April–May 2021)

Policy publication by Denyse S. Dookie, Declan Conway, Suraje Dessai on 12 Oct 2021

This report presents the headline findings from a national survey of UK-based organisations’ perceptions about adapting to a changing climate, providing insights into a wide range of factors affecting organisational and sectoral perspectives on preparedness, risk and adaptation.

Supporting urban adaptation to climate change: what role can resilience measurement tools play?

Working paper by Sara Mehryar, Idan Sasson, Swenja Surminski on 16 Jul 2021

This study explores how and to what extent tools to measure urban climate resilience can be or have been utilised by city-level actors to support their decision-making processes for building resilience.

Multiple resilience dividends at the community level: A comparative study on disaster risk reduction interventions in different countries

Working paper by Viktor Rözer, Swenja Surminski, Finn Laurien, Colin McQuistan, Reinhard Mechler on 22 Apr 2021

The concept of ‘multiple resilience dividends’ is not yet widely applied. This paper analyses the knowledge gaps and challenges that arise from applying ‘multiple resilience dividends’ in the planning, implementation and evaluation of disaster risk reduction interventions at the community level.

Saving lives and livelihoods: the benefits of investments in climate change adaptation and resilience

Policy publication by Sophie Dicker, Sam Unsworth, Rebecca Byrnes, Bob Ward on 31 Mar 2021

This report highlights six case studies of successful climate change adaptation and resilience, mostly in developing countries. It assesses the success of specific adaptation and resilience processes, the benefits gained and the lessons learned.

Climate and disaster risk insurance in low income countries: Reflections on the importance of indicators and frameworks for monitoring performance and impact

Working paper by Architesh Panda, Swenja Surminski on 7 Sep 2020

How to effectively monitor and evaluate the use of climate and disaster risk insurance remains unclear. This paper reviews how these instruments are currently evaluated and finds a need for transparent monitoring and evaluation frameworks to enable greater scrutiny and to assist those funding, demanding or supplying insurance, with evidence from India and Africa.

Enabling private sector adaptation to climate change among small businesses in developing countries: What role for multi-stakeholder partnerships? Experiences from Kenya

Working paper by Kate Elizabeth Gannon, Florence Crick, Joanes Atela, Declan Conway on 9 Jun 2020

This paper investigates the role of multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSPs) in supporting the development of enabling conditions for adaptation to climate change among micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries, with a focus on Kenya. read more »

Disaster impacts and financing: local insights from the Philippines

Working paper by Arlan Brucal, Viktor Rözer, Denyse S. Dookie, Rebecca Byrnes, Majah-Leah V. Ravago, Faye Cruz, Gemma Narisma on 9 Jun 2020

The Philippines is highly exposed to natural hazards including typhoons. This report, finding that financial aid tends to be heavily focused on response to hazards rather than preparedness and resilience, investigates why further disaster risk policy intervention may be required at the local level and provides guidance to policymakers. read more »