Environment and Disaster Planning Hari Srinivas, GDRC Rajib Shaw, Kyoto University Contents of the presentation: -What is the problem? -Precautionary Principles -Environment and Disaster Planning (EDP) Framework -EDP Tools -Steps to consider in EDP -Post-disaster: EDP things to consider

Session 3 will focus on environmental planning as a process for preparing a set of decisions for action in the future, directed at achieving disaster mitigation goals. It will illustrate some of the tools that can be used to integrate and link environment and disaster dimensions in planning processes There are environmental aspects, tools and strategies that need to be considered at every stage of the disaster cycle Environment and Disaster Planning (EDP)

Disaster Planning Environment Planning Lack of awareness in preparing for disasters at all levels Lack of - Finances and budgetary allocations Human resources Legislation and rules Other resources Level1 2 3 Not incorporating disaster dimensions Not incorporating environmental dimensions Integrating environmental planning and disaster management raises problems at three levels: What is the Problem?

Precautionary Principle and Disaster Management The “Precautionary Principle” is a well know approach to prevent or reduce negative impacts on the environment 1.Preventative anticipation 2.Safe-guarding of ecological space 3.Proportionality of response 4.Duty of care 5.Promoting the cause of intrinsic natural rights 6.Paying for past ecological debt “ … lack of scientific certainty is no reason to postpone action to avoid potentially serious or irreversible harm to the environment. ” A good starting point is using the ‘Precautionary Principles’ for environment and disaster planning

An EDP Framework Solid Waste Water Energy Transportation Housing … GovernanceEducationTechnology Actors and Actions Management Systems Urban Components In attempting to incorporate environmental dimensions in disaster management, it is useful to create a framework of actors and actions covering the management of governance, education, and technology

EDP Tools – Overview Assessment of Options Implementing action Planning Options 1. Environmental profiling 2. Eco and Hazard Mapping 6. Environmental Management Systems (EMS) 3. ERA 4. EIA 5. SEA

1 – Environmental Profiling* Introduction to the City Development Setting Environmental Setting Environmental Management for Disaster Preparedness Disaster Setting Creating an environmental profile of an urban area is a first and critical step in understanding the interactions between the local environment and disaster vulnerabilities it faces. EDP Tools for Planning Options

2 – Eco and Hazard Mapping Create a map of the city Locate and mark critical environmental features, natural and man-made Identify and indicate potential causes and effects of the risks On the map, mark all vulnerabilities and hazards faced by communities, business and industry and other sectors Eco and hazard mapping is a simple visual tool that creates an inventory of environmental assets of an urban area, and the vulnerabilities and risks it faces. EDP Tools for Planning Options

3 – Environmental Risk Assessment ERA is a systematic analysis of the likelihood that the environment will experience a specified level of harm as a result of a natural disaster or a planned human activity. Problem Identification Risk Characterization Risk Management Communication and Consultation Risk Review EDP Tools for Assessment

4 – Environmental Impact Assessment Baseline studies Impact Evaluation / Assessment Documentation Post-audit evaluation Decision-making EIA is a formal process used to predict the environmental consequences of a project or an event. EIA ensures that the potential problems are foreseen and addressed at an early stage. EDP Tools for Assessment

5 – Strategic Environmental Assessment A. Context and Baseline B. Scope/Alternatives C. Assessment/Mitigation E. Monitoring D. Consultation Process SEA is a process to ensure that significant environmental effects arising from disasters are identified, assessed, mitigated, communicated to decision-makers, monitored and that public involvement is ensured. EDP Tools for Assessment

6 – Environmental Management Systems Policy Development Planning Action Implementation/Operation Management Review Checking/Corrective Action EMS is a problem-identification and problem-solving tool, based on the concept of continual improvement, that can be implemented in an urban area in many different ways EDP Tools for Implementation

Steps to take in EDP Identify the key stakeholders and establish their roles, resources, and concerns. Evaluate the hazards and risks that may result in emergency situations in the community. Have stakeholders review their own plans to ensure a coordinated response, and identify lacks and gaps. Match these tasks to the resources of the identified participants. Identify resources needed, make necessary changes to improve plans, and integrate them into an overall community plan. Get political commitment from local and national governments. Educate and train participating groups about the integrated plan, including emergency responders. Establish procedures for periodic testing, review, and updating of the plan.

Issues to consider in EDP – 1 Build local community capacity For Pre-and post-disaster resilience Create partnerships & alliances For Responsive Actions Share and exchange information For Learning Opportunity Develop learning and decision-making tools For Mapping and planning

Issues to consider in EDP – 2 Help find appropriate and sustainable solutions Record and provide critical experiences and lessons learnt in the disaster Inventorize institutional and individual knowledge gained from responding to the future disaster Capacitate local communities to prepare them for the next disaster Channel scarce funds to appropriate and critical areas that need them

Appropriate environment management and quick restoration is also crucial in the wake of disasters Proper waste management: clearing, sorting, recycling/reuse, disposal of disaster debris Assessing water contamination and pollution, for drinking and for other purposes Appropriate handling of hazardous and toxic materials Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) of the environmental damage Post-Disaster: EDP Things to Consider