Ecosystems protecting infrastructure and communities: lessons learned

Abstract

Ecosystems Protecting Infrastructure and Communities (EPIC) is a global initiative implemented from 2012 to 2017 to promote the use of ecosystem-based approaches and protect communities from disasters and the negative impacts of climate change. It also aimed to have ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction recognised in key global frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The project demonstrated the need to invest in ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction, to have more effective climate change adaptation in the targeted sites. This flagship project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). It was

Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Risk Perception and Vulnerability Assessment in Indian Himalayan Region

“…The main purpose of the project is to catalyse and quantify the role of ecosystems in protecting vulnerable communities against the risks associated with climate change and natural hazards. In Nepal, the project falls within the specific context of rural earthen roads, exacerbating erosion and landslide risk in the Panchase area (Buyck, 2017). This project has helped reviving the eco-based livelihoods too.…”

Helping nature help us: Transforming disaster risk reduction through ecosystem management

“…Table 9. Summary of mainstreaming of Eco-DRR into national and local policy mechanisms in Chile, Senegal, Nepal and Thailand (Source: Buyck, 2016) services for DRR. The numerous benefits of high versus low biodiversity ecosystems have been well documented and whether this applies to ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction needs a stronger research agenda.…”