Interconnected, inter-dependent technological and environmental risks in the context of climate change

This working paper analyses the emerging area of ‘Interconnected and inter-dependent risk’. The main question of analysis is: what is the relationship or interconnection between environmental hazards or risks and the influence of the megaprojects? Are megaprojects potential drivers for risk amplification? This work presents a framework to identify, rethink and find possible solutions to the interconnected and inter-dependent risks in the coastal zone of São Paulo state, Brazil.

The results indicate the need to articulate the different levels of action of the government to minimise the recurring problems of human occupation on risk areas and environmental protection. The authors also propose that the risk analysis of interconnectedness and interdependence risks should be encouraged in land use management and impacts of megaprojects, seeking to understand and reduce the cumulative impacts (environmental, social and technological).

This document is an input paper of the 2015 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.