The Climate Smart Disaster Risk Management (CSDRM) approach helps to tackle disasters, poverty and adaptation through improved integration. It is for disaster risk managers, created by disaster risk managers. The CSDRM approach responds to the urgent need for organisations to be able to learn, reflect and integrate in better ways in order to remain relevant to their mission and goals. CSDRM is flexible, because those adopting the approach work in unique and complex environment. It helps towards evaluating which of the many existing tools and frameworks in disaster risk management (DRM), climate change adaptation (CCA) and development would work in a particular setting. It also help develop one’s ability to identify and form strategic partnerships, and gives them concrete indicators to reflect, review and evaluate progress.
This guide also presents key lessons learnt. The research reveals a range of challenges that may seem overwhelming, particularly those dealing with a lack of relevant climate data, appropriate tools to support integration, knowledge triangulation and scenario planning methods. However, the lessons learnt demonstrate the demand for ways of working that reduce current and future risk, even in the face of uncertainty. All of the research supports the idea that CSDRM can be useful beyond the DRM sector. It also reinforces the need for organisations to challenge their own internal ways of working – whether they are international or national NGOs, national or local government policymakers or civil society organisations – and to be proactive in reaching out to build partnerships and alliances with organisations operating outside of their specialist intervention areas.