Natural hazards

Harsh and varied landscapes are typical for the Alps and are part of what draws us to them. At the same time, they expose the Alpine population to various natural hazards, which  can potentially jeopardise human activities and lives. Climate change and land consumption are increasing the risk of loss and damages as the number and scope of floods, rockfalls, landslides, avalanches, and other natural hazards has grown. 

It is therefore important to increase public awareness and knowledge of these dangers and to share and coordinate measures among the Alpine countries.

Reducing the risks to an acceptable level is essential and can only be achieved together with all involved parties. The damage caused by natural hazards must be prevented and limited with effective measures without massively impacting landscapes and ecosystems.

Protocols and Declarations

There is no Protocol on natural hazards. However, the topic is addressed in the following Protocols: Mountain Forests Protocol, Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development Protocol, Soil Conservation Protocol, and Transport Protocol as well as the Action Plan on Climate Change in the Alps.

Thematic Working Bodies

• Natural Hazards Working Group (PLANALP)

Selected documents and publications

• Collection of Communication Tools (2024)
• Nature-Based Solutions in the Context of Natural Hazards - Policy brief (2022)
• Contingency Planning - Factsheet (2022)
• Contingency Planning in the Area of Natural Hazards (2021)
• Exhibition of natural hazard models and risk communication tools (2020)
• 7^th Report on the State of the Alps: Natural Hazard Risk Governance (2019)
• Persistence of Alpine natural hazard protection (2014)
• Alpine strategy for adaptation to climate change in the field of natural hazards (2013)
• Responsibility of the municipalities in the protection against natural hazards - available in German, French, Italian, and Slovenian (2009)

Projects

• We are Alps Tour 2019
• RockTheAlps (Alpine Space Programme) - harmonised rockfall, natural risk, and protection forest mapping in the Alpine space (2016-2019)
• Alpen-Forum-Innsbruck on climate change and natural hazards (2015) - in German