Enhancing risk management & resilience to natural hazards in India, Brazil, & Norway through collaborative education, research, & innovation

Climate change and urban expansion are amplifying the impact of natural hazards. Communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to landslides, earthquakes, floods, and avalanches. NATRISK is tackling these challenges by bringing together experts to explore how we can mitigate risks and improve societal resilience in the face of these growing threats. NATRISK is an international partnership dedicated to improving resilience to natural hazards through collaboration among experts from Brazil, India, and Norway. This initiative focuses on research, education, and innovation to address the growing risks posed by climate change and urbanization, particularly in regions with steep terrain prone to landslides, earthquakes, and floods. By fostering collaboration across these countries, NATRISK aims to enhance disaster preparedness and risk management. NATRISK’s work is structured around four core pillars: 1. Understanding Natural Hazards: Investigating the nature and interactions of various natural hazards and cascading effects. 2. Quantifying and Assessing Risk: Developing advanced methods to measure and analyse risk in different environments. 3. Mitigating and Communicating Risk: Improving public awareness and developing strategies for more effective risk communication. 4. Managing Disaster Risk and Enhancing Resilience: Creating actionable strategies to reduce vulnerabilities and increase resilience. Key Activities and Achievements carried out so far: The first NATRISK activities took place in Norway and were structured around three key events: a Training Course (May 27-31, 2024), a Field Excursion (June 3-5, 2024), and a 1.5-Day Pillar 1 Workshop (June 6-7, 2024). The training course was held at the University of Bergen, focusing on natural hazards, multi-hazards, and cascading effects. Researchers, students, and professionals from Brazil, India, and Norway participated in lectures and hands-on exercises, covering key topics such as landslides, earthquakes, and climate change. Subsequently, participants took part in a three-day field excursion in Western Norway, focusing on geohazards like landslides, avalanches, and river floods. This excursion, led by University of Bergen, gave participants a hands-on experience of the geohazards management strategies in Norway. A highlight was a hike to Lake Bondhusvatnet and the Folgefonna glacier, providing insight into the local geohazards landscape. The group stayed at Park Hotel Vossevangen and Hotel Ullensvang in Hardanger, allowing ample opportunity for networking and discussion. Following the field excursion, NATRISK hosted a workshop in Oslo focused on Pillar 1: Understanding Natural Hazards. Held at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), this workshop included presentations on landslide research, early warning systems, and nature-based solutions for hazard mitigation. Attendees also had the chance to tour NGI’s cutting-edge lab facilities. Research Exchanges: As part of our commitment to enhancing international collaboration, NATRISK facilitated three research exchanges at NGI in Oslo: 1 Assistant Professor Exchange from IITB, India and 2 PhD Student Exchanges from Brazil visited NGI for three months each, contributing to research on, wildfire, landslides, seismic hazards and risk perception. These exchanges allowed the researchers to gain hands-on experience with NGI’s cutting-edge facilities and tools, while also strengthening ties between participating institutions.

The NATRISK international partnership for enhancing risk management & resilience to natural hazards through collaboration in research, education and innovation connects expertise from Brazil, India, and Norway. The partnership focuses on excellence in education and research to reduce risk and increase societal resilience to natural hazards in steep terrain. NATRISK will develop new links and strengthen existing ties between seven research institutes & universities, and involves three public agencies. NATRISK will facilitate the exchange of researchers, practitioners, managers, and students, disseminate knowledge and expertise to municipalities and the business sector, and foster international education and research on natural hazards, risk, resilience, and associated disciplines. Natural hazards are geological, hydrological and environmental processes that may lead to loss of life and widespread damage. Natural hazards have devastating impacts on society, affecting population, economy, industry, cultural heritage, and the natural environment. Climate change is amplifying the risk of natural hazards to population and infrastructure in Brazil, India and Norway. Urbanization and new infrastructure developments in mountainous areas, partly driven by demographic expansion, increase societal exposure. To remedy research and education needs, NATRISK identifies four pillars for collective scientific advancement: Pillar 1 – Understanding natural hazards, multihazards, & cascading effects, Pillar 2 – Quantifying & assessing risk, Pillar 3 – Mitigating, perceiving, & communicating risk, and Pillar 4 – Managing disaster risk & enhancing resilience. These pillars are the thematic areas of collaboration and educational activities. To enhance the quality and relevance of activities for the public and business sectors, NATRISK implements an Innovation Task Force to interface with municipalities, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.