Press release - March 17th
As HFA2 negotiations continue, governments, private sector and practitioners commit to advance
ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction
World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, Sendai, Japan, March 17 2015
As negotiations for the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (Hyogo Framework for Action
2, HFA2) continue, global leaders and practitioners are pointing to the important role environment
and healthy ecosystems can play in reducing disaster risk.
At the Plenary Session on Ecosystems and Resilience on March 15, attended by over 200 people, Her
Royal Highness Princess Margriet from the Netherlands called for more concerted efforts to invest in
ecosystems as an effective way of reducing risk: “It is better to build on natural capital rather than
destroy it and for this, we need cooperation at all levels”.
Ivo Menzinger from Swiss Re (reinsurance company) spoke about cost-benefit analysis of ecosystembased DRR: “It is possible to reduce in a sustainable way 60 % of disaster risk of which 40% can be
ecosystem-based DRR measures.”
Jane Madgwick, CEO of Wetlands International stressed the important role of wetlands to reduce
risk: “Given that 95% of all disasters are water related, better management and restoration of
wetlands, serving as water stores and regulators, should be high on the DRR agenda as this can make
a huge difference in high mountains, flood plains and deltas where large cities are located”
Other speakers at the Plenary from the Global Environmental Fund and government representatives
from Ghana and Haiti shared their experiences in up-scaling ecosystem-based approaches to
reducing risk.
The agreed post-2015 framework will set priorities on how to build disaster resilience and guide
investments over the next ten years. As is highlighted by the UNISDR Global Assessment Report -151,
addressing environmental degradation as root cause of disaster risk and restoring ecosystems such
as mangroves to mitigate hazards are an important part of the HFA-2 agenda.
Members of the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR)2, a global alliance
of UN agencies, NGOs, and specialist institutes, have actively advocated alongside Member States for
a strong environment role in the post-2015 framework.
Ecosystem-based approaches, such as river basin management and wise use of forests and wetlands,
can help reduce hazard impacts, are a ‘no regrets’ option as they provide for basic needs such as
food, shelter, and water, and can be highly cost-effective.
1
http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/gar
In March 2015, PEDRR members include; ADPC, AUEDM, CBD, the C oE, GFMC, GRF, HELVETAS, IUCN, ProAct
Network, SEI, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNISDR, UNU, TNC, Wetlands International, WWF.
2
While negotiations are on-going, the role of ecosystem based disaster risk reduction has continued to
feature prominently in a number of public events.
On 14 March the Japanese Ministry of Environment and the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) organized a symposium “Mainstreaming Ecosystem-based DRR” with the
participation of Japan’s first lady, Mrs. Akie Abe expressed her concern about the large 7 meter high
coastal levees which are being built at disaster-prone coastal areas in Japan rather than considering
natural protection measures.
IUCN’s Director General, Mrs. Inger Andersen felt it was time to disable some myths: “There is a
prevailing perception that there is a choice to be made between ecosystem management and
national development… But in our rush to focus on physical built-up infrastructures, we have - as a
world community - ignored nature's infrastructures. “
On the issue of upscaling ecosystem-based DRR Madgwick from WI said: “You need a combination of
approaches, bringing together smart engineering, restoration of ecosystems and community
preparedness and contingency planning. And underpin this with influencing government policies.”
On March 16, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen
specifically mentioned the ecosystem approach and indicated that disaster risk reduction should not
be considered as a cost but as an opportunity.
Considering the mounting interest in ‘nature- or ecosystem-based solutions’ to DRR and climate
change adaptation, PEDRR strongly urges policy makers to endorse environment as a cross-cutting
issue in HFA2 and clearly articulated in the Guiding Principles, Expected Outcome and Goal, and
across all Priority Areas for Action.
PEDRR has developed inputs to the post-2015 framework, citing practical examples and
recommendations on the role of ecosystems in disaster risk reduction. For more on these
communication products and PEDRR’s activities, see: http://pedrr.org/training/currentevent/#.VQgIxY5wt1E
For more information:
Focal Point: Marie-Jose Vervest,
Wetlands International/PEDRR Chair,
[email protected]