Emerging challenges for early warning systems in context of climate change and urbanization

This paper is a joint review undertaken to identify opportunities and implications for early warning systems in the light of changing climate. The study was the result of a review of the institutional learning gained from the work undertaken by PPEW since its creation, in particular in investigating linkages to emerging risk from climate change, expanding urban growth in risk areas, and in the context of the development of early warning systems needed to address the challenge of seasonal forecast for livelihoods' adaptation.

The document aims at demonstrating the importance of early warning: its various sections illustrated how it fits into and links with the areas covered by a number of other organizations, many of which are located in Bonn. It also highlights the position of early warning in disaster risk reduction and in the ISDR system, and its direct relevance to the work of UNISDR.

This joint report has been prepared by the Platform for the Promotion of Early Warning (PPEW) and the German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV), with inputs from partner organizations, and coordinated by Humanitarian & Development Network.