 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
RESPONSE is a 3-year project (2003-2006) led by the Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment, UK, supported by the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Economic Impacts of Natural Hazards and Risks in Coastal Zones, Taking Account
of the Consequences of Climate Change
As part of the RESPONSE Project a review was made of the costs of current and future natural hazards in the coastal zone. The full report can be downloaded as a pdf file. Natural hazards have significant impacts on coastal zones throughout Europe. The costs of emergency action, remediation and prevention represent a significant burden to national and regional governments as well as local authorities often with limited resources. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that climate change impacts will include sea level rise, increased winter rainfall and more intense storm activity, a growing threat for many coastal communities affected by erosion, flooding and landsliding, and an increasing challenge for the local and regional authorities responsible for addressing the resulting risks. In order to protect communities and assets in the coastal zone it is necessary to establish the extent of climate change impacts and implement cost-effective sustainable management policies in order to reduce the risks for future generations. One of the major sources of costs resulting from natural hazards is damage and losses caused as a result of development in unsuitable coastal locations. Risk management must support the planning framework as a means of reducing the impacts and costs. In this way it will be possible to create a culture of prevention, advocating cost-effective preventative action rather than costly remedial action. |
|
To download the full report 'The Economic Impacts of Natural Hazards and Risks in Coastal Zones, Taking Account of the Consequences of Climate Change' |