Climate 2.0, a ClimaComms initiative, took place during the second day of the Disasters Expo Europe at Frankfurt Messe 11. 

This iteration of Climate 2.0 departed from traditional formats, offering interviews that delved into disaster risk reduction and mitigation. The discussions spanned critical topics, including risk exposure, earth observation in risk assessment, natural and man-made hazards, safe drinking water access, and strategic intelligence.

This event built on SLYCAN Trust Youth’s ongoing efforts in disaster risk management, aiming to foster awareness and preparedness amidst evolving climate challenges, and served as a platform to connect stakeholders from public and private sectors, highlighting innovations and best practices in mitigating disaster impacts.

Questions were posed to various booths that showcased their products and services, with the intention of understanding the landscape of this industry and the challenges in promoting public awareness and risk literacy, as well as linkages to climate change. 

The team explored the following questions for a broader discussion on disaster risk management: 

• In what ways do you think you could build public risk literacy? 
• How can communities adopt ‘resilient’ behaviour? 
• What are the connections and potential synergies between disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and climate-induced loss and damage? 

Several industry leaders shared insights that are pivotal to advancing disaster risk resilience, with one such reflection showing the importance of equipping stakeholders with adequate tools and information, which is critical for effective disaster response. 

Structured around interactive interviews and booth engagements, the event navigated diverse themes, including public awareness, media representation of disasters, and community resilience. Discussions highlighted the interconnectedness of disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and efforts to mitigate climate-induced losses.

Each organisation had experience working internationally and provided a global perspective through their case studies, information and analyses, the technology they implemented, and the services they provided. 

A point of note was how many of the booths at the expo had targeted their services and products to the private sector, with their primary base comprising multinational corporations and secondary base consisting of businesses in hospitality, construction and engineering, healthcare, NGOs, and charities. Governments and intergovernmental organisations such as the UN were not targeted by these organisations, which was attributed to the bureaucracy and barriers they faced in delivering quick and reliable services – an imperative in disaster risk response. 

Throughout these conversations, experts emphasised the role of technology and strategic intelligence in shaping disaster response strategies. For instance, think tanks’ research informs product design and decision-making, crucial amidst geopolitical shifts and evolving information ecosystems. Insights gleaned from the event highlighted significant challenges in public risk literacy and barriers to mobilising communities during disasters. The consensus shared the need for tailored approaches to enhance preparedness and response effectiveness across sectors.

The Climate 2.0 initiative at the Disasters Expo Europe reinforced the critical nexus between disaster risk management and climate resilience. Moving forward, sustained efforts in enhancing public awareness and fostering strategic partnerships will be essential in mitigating future risks. 

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ClimaComms is an initiative of SLYCAN Trust aimed at supporting and empowering communicators in enhancing evidence-driven and science-based communication on climate change. This initiative aims to better engage journalists, media professionals, and communicators from across the world to build climate awareness, raise climate literacy and contribute to scaling up evidence and science-driven climate action at all levels.

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SLYCAN Trust Youth is a global initiative of SLYCAN Trust aiming to connect and empower youth to better engage in policy and action at all levels. Its work focuses on climate change, sustainable development, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, animal welfare, social justice, entrepreneurship, and transformative resilience-building.

Stay engaged with SLYCAN Trust Youth as it continues to advocate for resilient communities and innovative solutions in disaster risk reduction. Visit the website for upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.