FOSTERING THE NATURAL HAZARD RISK GOVERNANCE DIALOGUE

TOPIC

Governance is a complementary approach to government-based public administratin schemes. The main idea is that decisions should be taken close to their effect on a local to regional level, complementing government. The participation of stakeholders is strengthened, and decision-making should be by negotiation. Risk governance discusses the ways we deal as a society
with natural hazards. Commonly, threats and risks are experienced directly by populations. Consequently, past events shape the common memory, as well as the risk awareness and therefore affect local communities.
The essential two parameters for risk governance are:

• A common problem for concerned stakeholders (i.e. local population, public authorities, NGOs)
• Existence of a discussion and negotiation network that helps to deal with natural hazard risk

AIM

Mapping the status of Natural Hazard Risk Governance within the boundaries of the EUSALP region is a first step to promote international exchange of expertise and can help to develop and shape more sophisticated and practical governance solutions to decrease vulnerability and raise resilience. This AG8 activity has fostered the EUSALP dialogue on natural hazard risk governance.

What has been achieved?

AG8 members investigated the existing national regulatory frameworks in hazard management and mapped governance mechanisms that are in place in a comparable manner with the support of TU Vienna. In a close cooperation with the Alpine Convention, good practice examples were collected. Finally, AG8 identified and formulated recommendations for enhancing risk governance mechanisms concerning the management of natural hazards in the Alps. A final report and accompanying policy brief were published.