Comprehensive Risk Management

Strategic workstream (c) of the current five-year workplan of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) Executive Committee (ExCom) is to enhance cooperation and facilitation in relation to comprehensive risk management (CRM) approaches (including assessment, reduction, transfer and retention), to address and build long term resilience of countries, vulnerable populations and communities to loss and damage from the impacts of climate change. This includes extreme and slow onset events and could be achieved through, inter alia:

emergency preparedness, including early warning systems;
measures to enhance recovery, rehabilitation and build back/forward better;
social protection instruments, including social safety nets; and,
transformational approaches.

Work facilitated by the WIM ExCom on this workstream

The WIM ExCom and members of the Technical Expert Group (TEG) on comprehensive risk management (CRM) have produced a range of resources as part of the Plan of Action. This includes guidance documents, policy briefs, research papers, training and events. Some resources from the TEG-CRM have been endorsed by the WIM ExCom. Resources produced and endorsed by the WIM ExCom are shown below. Other resources produced by TEG-CRM members can be found here.

Resources produced by the WIM ExCom

Resources developed by the WIM ExCom on comprehensive risk management approaches include:

2019 Compendium on comprehensive risk management approaches described using 349 case studies and technical reports from across five geographical regions, of which 37 are presented in the compendium. The compendium was revised and finalised with inputs from the TEG-CRM.
The policy brief on technologies for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage in coastal zones, developed in collaboration with the Technology Executive Committee.

In addition the Fiji Clearing House for Risk Transfer serves as a repository for information on insurance and risk transfer, in order to facilitate efforts of Parties to develop and implement comprehensive risk management strategies.

For further information on activities of the WIM ExCom related to comprehensive risk management approaches, see the current five-year rolling workplan.

Resources endorsed by the WIM ExCom

The WIM ExCom has endorsed the following knowledge products developed by members of the TEG-CRM:

NAP Global Network report on “Addressing Loss and Damage: What can we Learn from Countries’ National Adaptation Plans?”
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) report on "The Role of Early Warning Early Action in Minimizing Loss and Damage"
IFRC and Climate Analytics report on "Key Findings Related to Loss and Damage from the IPCC WGII Report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability"

Please see the TEG-CRM page, accessible from the tab on the top, for other relevant resources produced as part of its Plan of Action.

Submit information on comprehensive risk management

The work of the Technical Expert Group on Comprehensive Risk Management (TEG-CRM) supports strategic workstream (c) of the five-year rolling workplan of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) Executive Committee (ExCom), which focuses on comprehensive risk management approaches to address and build long-term resilience of countries, vulnerable populations and communities to loss and damage from the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events and slow onset events.

The TEG-CRM terms of reference were adopted at ExCom 7 in 2018 and since 2019 the TEG-CRM meet regularly. It currently comprises of 23 members, including 4 ExCom members serving as facilitators.

Establishment of the Technical Expert Group on Comprehensive Risk Management

The COP at its twentieth session in 2014, decided that the WIM ExCom may establish expert groups, subcommittees, panels, thematic advisory groups or task-focused ad hoc working groups to help execute the work of the ExCom in guiding the implementation of the Warsaw International Mechanism, as appropriate, in an advisory role, and that report to the ExCom (Decision 2/CP.20, para 8). At ExCom 7 in March 2018, the ExCom established three expert groups on slow onset events, non-economic losses and comprehensive risk management approaches, guided by the terms of reference.

Plan of Action

The WIM ExCom endorsed the TEG-CRM Second Plan of Action in September 2022. It identifies actions that will contribute to the implementation of the activities under strategic workstream (c) of the five-year rolling workplan of the WIM ExCom.

The WIM ExCom endorsed the First Plan of Action at its tenth meeting in October 2019.

A progress update on the implementation of the TEG-CRM First Plan of Action is available.

TEG-CRM First Phase: Other Resources Produced by Members

Other resources developed by TEG-CRM members as part of the first Plan of Action are listed below.

Related activity under workstream (c) of the five-year rolling workplan of the ExCom	Resources
Methodologies for enhancing knowledge and understanding of CRM approaches identified and/or developed (activity 2a)	UNDRR (delivered with GIZ) technical guidance on comprehensive risk assessment and planning in the context of climate change. A complementary comprehensive risk management training package has been produced by UNDRR’s Global Education and Training Institute (GETI). IIASA (delivered with ISET) working paper on transforming resilience-building today for sustainable futures tomorrow. IIASA (delivered with GIZ) guidance on CRM with applications in India and Tanzania. IIASA (delivered with GIZ) guidance on integrating slow onset processes into climate risk management. World Food Programme (WFP) brief on how its integrated risk management programmes allow for predictable anticipatory and early responses, significantly reducing human suffering, losses and damages from climate-related disasters. Other comprehensive risk management reports and case studies prepared by WFP are available here. IFRC, WFP and other partner organisation resources on anticipatory action in the face of rising risks are available on the Anticipation Hub. IISD NAP trends database. IISD regional peer learning event in the context of the NAP Global Network on how Integrated Vulnerability Assessments can play a role in M&E. Climate Analytics series of briefings (brief one, two and three) on compound risks facing vulnerable countries as a result of the COVID19 pandemic.
Paper(s) with clear priority (activity 2c)	WFP paper and brief on social protection and climate change, with a focus on WFP Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean’s vision to advance climate change adaptation through social protection. WFP brief highlighting 10 tips on shock- responsive social protection drawing on insights from real- life examples. WFP (in collaboration with Oxford Policy Management) study on shock- responsive social protection in Latin America and the Caribbean showcasing a theoretical framework, five country case studies, and relevant conclusions for action. WFP paper and brief which reviews the evidence base on anticipatory action. ActionAid and Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung jointly released a paper that outlines how gender responsive systems of social protection and the various tools and policies that they include can help to deliver a human rights based approach to sustainable development, while minimizing and addressing climate induced loss and damage. ActionAid, DIE and Red Cross Climate Centre paper on social protection for climate-induced loss and damage, priority areas for increasing capacity and investment in developing countries.
Improved and enhanced understanding of tools and instruments for addressing the limits of the current CRM approaches and actions to facilitate transformational approaches (activity 2d)	A journal article titled “Perspectives on transformational change in climate risk management and adaptation” published in Environmental Research Letters. A journal article by IIASA titled “Finance for loss and damage: a comprehensive risk analytical approach” published in the Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability special issue on slow onset events related to climate change. A review paper by Climate Analytics on SIDS, risks, responses and loss and damage published in the Annual Review of Environment and Resources. A journal article by Climate Analytics on sea level rise, comprehensive risk management and SIDS published in the Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability special issue on slow onset events related to climate change. University College London project on “Re-Energize DR3: Kick-Starting Global Governance”.
Development and/or dissemination of guidance facilitated, as appropriate, for comprehensive risk profiles, and, where possible, comprehensive risk profiles developed for designing and implementing country- driven risk/risk assessments at the national level, including for the preparation of asset inventories (activity 5a)	MCII and UNU-EHS completed a comprehensive climate risk assessment in Pekalongan, Indonesia in close collaboration with the local City and Regency governments. An article by Mercy Corps summarizes the findings. The full report is available. ActionAid paper titled "Participatory methodologies enable communities to assess climate-induced loss and damage".
Risk management strategies and approaches/good contingency plans and planning (activity 5b)	IFRC are providing guidance on subnational anticipatory action through the Anticipation Hub, in close coordination with national government agencies, as well as WMO and a range of science partners. IIASA factsheet on the CatSim model. WPF reports as part of the Dialogue Platforms on forecast-based Finance in 2019 in Maputo (African focus), Punta Cana (LAC focus), Manila (Asian focus), and Berlin (global focus).
Climate risk solutions (activity 5c)	MCII and UNU-EHS report titled “Climate and disaster risk financing instruments: an overview”.

Disclaimer: The products and links were provided by the TEG-CRM members during the progress update on the first Plan of Action in 2022. The WIM ExCom does not claim any ownership to the copyright or accuracy of information provided, nor do the views and opinions expressed reflect those of the WIM ExCom.

TEG-CRM Second Phase: Other Resources Produced by Members

Other resources developed by TEG-CRM members as part of the Second Plan of Action are listed below.

Related activity under the Second Plan of Action (theme and output)	Resources
Development and application of comprehensive risk management approaches – for risk informed planning and implementation (Output 2 and 3)	UNDRR and WMO technical guidance on the application of climate information for comprehensive risk management UNDRR thought leadership course on, Synergizing Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation

Disclaimer: The products and links were provided by the TEG-CRM members. The WIM ExCom does not claim any ownership to the copyright or accuracy of information provided, nor do the views and opinions expressed reflect those of the WIM ExCom.

The Executive Committee (ExCom) of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage (WIM) is developing the compendium on comprehensive risk management approaches Vol.2. This is Activity 29, of strategic workstream (c) on enhancing cooperation and facilitation in relation to comprehensive risk management approaches in the five-year rolling workplan of the WIM ExCom.

The compendium Vol.2 will showcase recent developments in applying comprehensive risk management for responding to specific cases of loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, including rapid onset and slow onset events and at all levels of governance. Please see the teaser for more information on the process and timeline.

In November 2023, the ExCom invited relevant organizations, networks and experts to submit information on actions, measures and approaches that respond to loss and damage from the impacts of climate change. The information submitted will serve as a basis for elaborating key findings on emerging good practices that integrate a spectrum of anticipatory and ex-post action to pave the way for transforming policy decisions to manage climate risks holistically. Submissions received are provided in the table below.

Case study submissions

Title	Actions, measures and tools described	Hazard	Geographic coverage	Submitter	Submission date
Damage and Loss Methodology Assessment in Uruguay	Damage and loss assessment	Drought	Uruguay	FAO	08 Apr 2024
Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) in Pakistan	Post-disaster needs assessment	Flooding, heatwave, land and forest degradation, glacial retreat	Pakistan	FAO	08 Apr 2024
Livelihood Protection Policy supported by the Climate Risk Adaptation and Insurance in the Caribbean (CRAIC) Project	Parametric climate risk insurance	Tropical cyclone, flooding	Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago	UNU-EHS, MCII	29 Feb 2024
Meso-level Anticipatory Insurance in Fiji	Parametric climate risk insurance, anticipatory action	Tropical cyclone	Fiji	UNU-EHS, MCII	29 Feb 2024
Case Studies on Comprehensive Risk Management (CRM) Approaches	Disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, financial instruments for addressing loss and damage, partnerships, data collection and tracking	Multi-hazard	Global	UNDRR	29 Feb 2024
Area Based Risk Assessment in Sri Lanka	Area based risk assessment	Drought, tropical cyclone, storm surge, flooding, land and forest degradation, loss of biodiversity	Sri Lanka	IMPACT Initiatives	28 Feb 2024
School Safety First: How Adapted Education Information Systems are Playing a Key Role Towards Ensuring School Safety in the Philippines	Comprehensive school safety assessment suite	Multi-hazard	Philippines	Save the Children International	15 Feb 2024
Story report: Safeer, a 12-year-old from Khairpur, Pakistan	Empowering children with disabilities	Flooding	Pakistan	Save the Children International	15 Feb 2024
Strategic Framework for WASH Climate-Resilient Development: Support to Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Uganda	Strategic Framework for the WASH sector, risk assessment	Drought, tropical cyclone, storm surge, heatwave, flooding, rising sea level	Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Uganda	SWA Partner organizations, UNICEF and SIWI	14 Feb 2024
Supporting Comprehensive Resilience Building in the Chimanimani and Chipinge Districts of Zimbabwe	Climate risk informed decision analysis, vulnerability assessment, locally led adaptation	Drought, tropical cyclone, flooding	Zimbabwe	UNESCO	12 Feb 2024
Networks Reinforce Municipalities’ Work on Climate Adaptation	Local level action, regional climate adaptation network	Floods, heatwaves, landslides	Sweden	Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs	9 Feb 2024
Anticipatory Actions to Mitigate Flash Flood Impact in Bangladesh	Anticipatory action	Flooding	Bangladesh	WFP	8 Feb 2024
Anticipatory Actions to Mitigate El Nino’s Flood Impact in Somalia	Anticipatory action	Flooding	Somalia	WFP	8 Feb 2024
Calm Before the Storm: Anticipatory Action Strengthens Disaster Risk Management in the Philippines	Anticipatory action	Multi-hazard	Philippines	WFP	8 Feb 2024
Dial A for Anticipate: WFP Helps Families in Somalia as Floods Hit Food and Drive Hunger	Anticipatory action	Flooding, drought	Somalia	WFP	8 Feb 2024
Building Systems to Anticipate Drought in Mozambique: An Impact Assessment of WFP’s Capacity Strengthening Interventions on National Systems	Anticipatory action	Drought	Mozambique	WFP	8 Feb 2024
WFP activates Anticipatory Action to Support Communities Ahead of the Impacts of Drought in the Dry Corridor, Guatemala	Anticipatory action	Drought	Guatemala	WFP	8 Feb 2024
Global Mapping of Humanitarian Disaster Risk Finance	Mapping of humanitarian disaster risk finance	Multi-hazard	Global	USAID Climate Adaptation Support Activity/ Tetra Tech	7 Feb 2024
Windows of Opportunity for Risk-Informed Humanitarian Assistance	Mapping of humanitarian disaster risk finance, anticipatory and early action	Multi-hazard	Global	USAID Climate Adaptation Support Activity/ Tetra Tech	7 Feb 2024

Further relevant information

Information sources	Submitter
Link to case studies on climate change adaptation work in Sweden Overview of Climate Change Adaptation in Sweden Swedish Portal for Climate Change Adaptation Climate Adaptation Game	Submitted by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 9 Feb 2024
FAIR Data for Disaster Risk Research Disaster Loss Data in Monitoring the Implementation of the Sendai Framework	Submitted by the Green Climate Fund on 2 Feb 2024

Information sources

Submitter

Link to case studies on climate change adaptation work in Sweden

Overview of Climate Change Adaptation in Sweden

Swedish Portal for Climate Change Adaptation

Climate Adaptation Game

Submitted by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 9 Feb 2024

FAIR Data for Disaster Risk Research

Disaster Loss Data in Monitoring the Implementation of the Sendai Framework

Submitted by the Green Climate Fund on 2 Feb 2024