News and announcements

New research has revealed that green roofs carry many benefits for Australian cities, including flood prevention through absorption of rainfall, as well as decreased heating and cooling costs. Despite these benefits, government incentives are needed to boost implementation and progress has been slow.

The Government of Canada launched the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), a 10-year national program that will invest $2 billion in large-scale infrastructure projects that help communities better withstand natural hazards. These projects will protect public health, safety, homes, and access to essential services.

The 6th Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas will take place from June 20-22 hosted by the government of Colombia in Cartagena.

The Philippines has urged fellow ASEAN states to create a region-wide database on disaster risk management, which would allow the sharing of information on mitigating the effects of climate change and guarantee timely assistance during calamities. This request is in conjunction with other DRR efforts, including reinsurance and digitization of government assets.

Jamaica has been working on establishing a policy framework for disaster risk financing that will contain a suite of products for different levels of disaster and a transparent investment plan to mitigate harm to people and damage to infrastructure. The plan would maintain a contingency in the budget to deal with high frequency events, but low levels of damage.

The need for forecasting wave-driven coastal flooding is becoming more urgent, but the tools for sandy shores are generally not applicable to coral reef–lined coasts. During a recent meeting about forecasting, experts concluded that early warning systems, hypothetical scenario prediction, and bathymetry and island topography are needed for better prediction.

A new Australian Senate report warns that climate change has broad security implications, both domestically and internationally. The report emphasises the risks posed by rising sea levels and an increase in the frequency and intensity of environmental stress, as well as Australia's vulnerability to climate change. Defense will need to adapt its functions accordingly.

Hobart's record of severe flooding highlights the need for hazard mapping and town planning scheme overlays to enforce development restrictions. Its record also illustrates why states should focus on disaster policies, social cohesion for resilience, new building codes, and critical infrastructure siting.