a dialogue in practice joint - cbss · 2017-07-20 · a dialogue in practice integrating climate...
TRANSCRIPT
joint
Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit
OCHA Emergency Services Branch
Geneva, Switzerland
Emilia WahlströmProgramme Officer
A dialogue in practiceIntegrating climate change adaptation into
civil protection
Content
• Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit introduction
• Presentation of relevant findings from reports and studies
• Linking climate change adaptation to civil protection – recommendations and ways forward
Environmental Emergencies
“An environmental emergency is defined as a suddenonset disaster or accident resulting from natural,
technological or human-induced factors, or a combination of these, that cause or threaten to cause
severe environmental damage as well as harm to humanhealth and/or livelihoods.”
UNEP Governing Council, 13 November 2002
Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit
VISION
Our vision is for countries to be better prepared, more resilient and able to effectively respond to environmental emergencies.
MISSION
To mobilise and coordinate a comprehensive response to environmental emergencies to protect lives, livelihoods, ecosystems, and future generations.
Technical expertise
Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit
Prepared Response
Humanitarian coordination
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RESPONSE
Priorities
PREPAREDNESS
ENVIRONMENT IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION
Talvivaara spill, Finland, 2012Baia Mare cyanide spill, Romania, 2000
Preparedness in a changing world
Improving linkages between environmental emergency response, contingency planning and preparedness
The implications of climate change and urbanization forenvironmental emergency preparedness and response
Linking climate change and civil protection
• Widely acknowledged need to closer link climate change adaptation with disaster risk reduction and with civil protection (Rio +20, HFA 2) – at policy as well as practical level
• Study1 conducted in Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands shows that
– CC and CP have different policy cultures (transforming society vs. protecting today’s society from external threats)
– Differences in countries’ institutions should be taken into account(e.g. level of centralization)
Groven, Aall, van den Berg et al. (2012) Integrating climate change adaptation intocivil protection: comparative lessons from Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Role of civil protection in climate change
• Switzerland study on climate change impacts on civil protection
• Extreme weather events probably most relevant for CP, but– Information and models still
lacking (quantification)– Risks and hazard analysis must
lead to actions
• Coordination local-regional crucial (resources, response)
• CP can play a role in EW (heatwaves, fires, drought)
Recommendations…
• Harmonizing overarching policies; ensuring wide consultations
• Widening discussion and creating awareness
• Bringing schools of thought closer:
– Bridging the gap between “reducing vulnerabilities” and “handling the crisis”
– Long-term vs. short-term (monitoring and assessment tools)
– Preparedness and prevention can act as a link
• Acknowledging the role of local authorities, responders and communities
Prepare, build capacity & raise awareness
Tools, guidelines & training
Networks
Environmental Emergencies Centre
www.eecentre.org
Online preparedness tool designed to strengthen the capacity of vulnerable countries to environmental emergencies
Workshops and trainings
EEC eLearning modules
TrainingThe JEU develops introductory and advanced trainings on a variety of
environmental emergency preparedness and response topics
eLearning modules available at www.eecentre.org
joint
www.unocha.org/unep
Rapid deployment of experts
Rapid environmental assessments
Onsite sampling and analysis
ResponseIn the first hours after an environmental emergency, the JEU can mobilise
experts and equipment to the affected area
Recent Activities
Chemical / industrial accident risks and preparedness around city of Toamasina
• Joint JEU / European Commission mission to assess risks and capacities around Ambatovymining site (cobalt, nickel) and Toamasina port
• Based on the scoping mission, a chemical / industrial accidents program was developed
Madagascar 2013
Philippines 2013
Recent ActivitiesTyphoon Bopha passed through the Philippines from Mindanao to Palawan
between 4-7 December 2012
• Environmental expert integrated into UN disaster assessment team
• Desk review and field support of $65 million response and recovery plan
5.4 millionAffected
368,672 Displaced
481,000 Beneficiaries
$65 million Requested
Recent Activities
Fire triggers series of explosions at munitions depot in Brazzaville
> 250 dead > 3,000 injured> 20,000 displaced
• UNDAC team deployed to assess secondary impacts on industrial facilities
• UNDAC team took groundwaterand soil samples
Republic of Congo 2012
Environmental Emergencies Centre (EEC)
Preparedness trainings
PreparednessContingency planning, training, and awareness raising on the impacts of
environmental emergencies
The Gambia 2013
Recent ActivitiesScoping mission to support the Government in assessing industrial /
chemical hazards and developing environmental emergency preparedness
• Three main areas of preparedness:
• Policy and legal framework
• (Industrial) hazard mapping
• Contingency planning for environmental emergencies
• Integrate priority environmental emergency issues into the National Plan of Action for Disaster Risk Reduction (jointly with CADRI)
Turkey 2013
Recent ActivitiesThe training consisted of an eLearning module, a five-day training workshop
and a field visit
• Five-day training
• 27 experts from 11 countries in the Mediterranean region + Balkans
• In partnership with PPRD South (Euromed Programme on Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural and Man-made Disasters), UNEP, SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation)
Environment in Humanitarian ActionIntegration of environmental considerations across the whole humanitarian
programmatic cycle
Country-specific support
Update of guidance and input of key environmental elements
Raise awareness
Establish an Environmental Reference Group