Launch of the ARISTOTLE-ENHSP (European Natural Hazard Scientific Partnership) project

By Roberto Guana

The ARISTOTLE-ENHSP (European Natural Hazard Scientific Partnership) project - also known as ARISTOTLE 2 - was launched on 11th October 2018 in Rome. Funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), ARISTOTLE 2 aims at consolidating the results obtained during the pilot project ARISTOTLE 1, to promote the creation of a European virtual operating centre for natural disasters (e.g. earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and floods), and to implement the ENHSP, a European network for natural risks. ARISTOTLE 2, which will last three years, is led by Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), and features a wide solid partnership composed of thirteen European scientific institutions and two international organizations with expertise in a broad range of hazards, including volcanoes, earthquakes/tsunamis, severe weather, flooding and forest fires.

Disasters caused by natural hazards, many of which are exacerbated by climate change, are increasing in frequency and intensity, and have been affecting many countries over recent years. The exposure of persons and assets in all countries has increased faster than vulnerability has decreased, thus generating new risks and a steady rise in disaster-related losses, with signifcant impacts in the short, medium and long term. Despite the fact that countries have enhanced their capacities in disaster risk management, it has become more and more evident that there is a need for a modern, multi-hazard, disaster response system in order to strengthen the national and collective ability to prevent and prepare for emergencies.

The EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) plays a key role in coordinating the response to disasters in Europe and beyond. In November 2017, the European Commission presented a new proposal (COM(2017) 773 final) to strengthen the European response capacities by fostering protection, enhancing preparedness and facilitating rapid and effective response, as well as to improve the knowledge base on disaster risk and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and the results of scientific research. The operational hub of the UCPM is the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), which is responsible for the coordination of emergencies associated with natural disasters.

ARISTOTLE 2 aims to speed up this intervention system and to integrate the available information in an optimal manner. It is envisaged as a long-term cooperation plan, building on the expertise, partnership and deliverables of the pilot project ARISTOTLE 1, to deliver to the ERCC and its analytical team world-leading, multi-hazard scientific advice through the implementation of the ENHSP. ARISTOTLE 2 consists of a flexible and scalable multi-hazard scientific operational service, complemented by a permanent set of knowledge-based pillars, to support operational activities with science and research, technological innovation, and service quality assessments. As such, ARISTOTLE 2 represents an important added-value to the UCPM framework, by providing the ERCC with a “24/7” operational service in support of their UCPM operations, translating complex and scientific information into actionable advice.