Scoping study on compound, cascading and systemic risks in Asia-Pacific
The ‘Scoping study on compound, cascading and systemic risks in the Asia-Pacific’, undertaken by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and Asia Pacific Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (AP-STAG), presents an important opportunity to explore the challenges and potential associated with better understanding and managing of compound, cascading and systemic risks in the global context, focusing, in particular, on the application of these concepts in the Asia Pacific region. As a scoping study, the report attempts to map and study the extent and nature of available studies and work on compound, cascading and systemic risks. Thereby, it brings forth prevalent terminologies, concepts and pertinent features of these risks. The study analyses compound, cascading and systemic risks by understanding the triggering and triggered hazards, type of underlying vulnerabilities, the scale of the associated effects and impacts – global, regional, national or local, other driving factors and interactions therein, that exacerbate the risk to exposed and vulnerable communities, infrastructures and systems.
The study brings forth the following key lessons learnt:
- Consideration of all dimensions of risk for its assessment and management.
- Developing disaggregated vulnerability and exposure databases for better anticipation and management of compound, cascading and systemic risks.
- Adaptive and integrative risk governance to manage compound, cascading and systemic risks.
- Innovative risk reduction financing mechanisms for compound, cascading and systemic risks.
- Evidence-based mapping at spatio-temporal scales via scenario-building.
- Understanding and addressing the risks involved in critical infrastructure systems.
- Dynamic multi-hazard disaster risk management plans.
- Adopting ecosystem-based approaches to mitigate and manage risk.
- Investing in systems that protect and advance the overall well-being.