Buyck, Camille

Despite increasing recognition of the importance of ecosystem-based approaches for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, implementation remains mostly underdeveloped worldwide. Lack of knowledge on the implementation process present an important barrier. This publication presents details on Ecosystems Protecting Infrastructure and Communities (EPIC), a global initiative which promoted ecosystem-based approaches for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in six countries.

Globally, disasters due to natural hazards takes an enormous toll in terms of human lives, destruction to crops and livelihoods, and economic losses. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) has therefore become a critical part of sustainable development strategies. Over the past decades, the role of healthy ecosystems in providing cheap, reliable protection against natural hazards has been increasingly recognized. However, DRR strategies based on ecosystem services are failing in many places because natural ecosystems are being degraded and destroyed.

Globally, disasters due to natural hazards takes an enormous toll in terms of human lives, destruction to crops and livelihoods, and economic losses. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) has therefore become a critical part of sustainable development strategies. Over the past decades, the role of healthy ecosystems in providing cheap, reliable protection against natural hazards has been increasingly recognized. However, DRR strategies based on ecosystem services are failing in many places because natural ecosystems are being degraded and destroyed.

This publication presents 18 case studies to demonstrate how Protected Areas (PAs) can be better managed for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). The chapters vary from scientific studies to good practices, as well as (existing or required) policy frameworks that enable appropriate management. The book presents approaches from different regions and aims to cover a range of hazard events as well as a variety of ecosystem types.