Disasters and Ecosystems, Resilience in a Changing Climate - Source Book

Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (ECO-DRR) and Ecosystem-based approaches (EbA) have some differences due to being developed in silos, separately in the DRR and CCA communities; however, there is much overlap in practice. 

This book explains the importance of ecosystems and their management for DRR and CCA and provides guidance to plan and implement, in an integrated way, ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (Eco-DRR/EbA).  The main key messages of this publication are the following: firstly, it is highlighted how Eco-DRR/EbA provide multiple benefits and offer a no-regrets strategy. Secondly, ecosystem-based approaches to DRR/CCA are described as more cost-effective over time than grey infrastructure alone, although in some cases, grey-green infrastructure combinations are the most optimal. Moreover, the important role of gender-sensitive Eco-DRR/ EbA to achieve a sustainable reduction of disaster risks is underlined.

The book concludes that there are still knowledge gaps and challenges to mainstreaming Eco-DRR/EbA, not the least being how to scale-up investments in ecosystems for DRR/CCA from a locally specific project to generalisable guidelines.