Implementation of the Sendai Framework at the EU level : the take-up of resilience measures by local and regional authorities

Local and regional authorities (LRAs) have an important role in most of the civil protection systems of the European Union (EU) Member States (MS), a role which is acknowledged at the EU level. As a consequence, they may contribute substantially to the achievement of goals and targets in the fields of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience-building. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 agreed in March 2015 is the new non-binding agreement guiding worldwide the efforts of stakeholders at all levels: global, regional, national and local. It ensures continuity with the previous Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015), but it also introduces innovative elements while extensively and specifically recognising the role of local governments. Overall, among the main characteristics of the Sendai Framework are a clear framing of DRR within a perspective of sustainable development and poverty reduction; the ambition of being action-oriented; the shift of emphasis from disaster management to disaster risk management and prevention of disaster risk; and the definition of global targets. The Sendai global agreement appears to encompass elements and potential undertakings which are not thoroughly developed in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. This added value of the Sendai Framework with respect to the Union Mechanism, whose reformed configuration came into force on 1 January 2014, refers, among other aspects, to the formulation of priority areas for action, including at the local level; the emphasis given to the measurement of impact; the emphasis given to resilience-building; the recognition of the importance of risk-related data and knowledge, for example in order to inform policymaking, planning and investment decisions; and the underlining of the essential role of disaster risk governance in the management of disaster risk. Besides having sub-national governments engaged, the global agreement explicitly refers to the need of having these governments appropriately empowered.