Europe Faces Growing Interconnected Risks: MYRIAD-EU Policy Roundtable Charts the Way Forward
Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world, and climate-related risks are affecting energy and food security, ecosystems, infrastructure, water resources, financial stability, and public health (Copernicus, European State of the Climate, 2024). Some regions are particularly exposed: Southern Europe faces wildfires, heatwaves, and water scarcity impacting agriculture, outdoor work, and health, while low-lying coastal areas are at risk from flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion, including densely populated cities.
As MYRIAD-EU enters its final year, the project convened policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in Brussels for a high-level policy roundtable on advancing Europe’s multi-hazard and multi-risk disaster resilience. The event, held alongside the European Week of Regions and Cities and marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, reflected growing recognition that Europe’s climate and disaster risks are increasingly interconnected.
Setting the Policy Scene
The opening session mapped the evolving global and EU policy landscape for disaster risk reduction (DRR).
David Baker (UNDRR) drew attention to the global complex risk landscape outlined in the latest Global Assessment Report, noting that “cascading effects now drive both direct and indirect losses — more than €800 billion in the last four decades.” He stressed that risk-informed decision-making must become the norm, adding that “risks can be transformed into opportunities,” and praised MYRIAD-EU’s approach as “a valuable contribution to this paradigm shift.”
Anna Battistutta (DG ECHO) presented the forthcoming EU Preparedness Strategy, emphasising that it “brings together foresight, anticipation, and comprehensive EU-wide risk assessments,” integrating national and sectoral expertise by 2026. She highlighted the increasing interconnections among risks identified in the Joint Research Centre’s (JRC) recent analysis, underscoring the value of MYRIAD-EU’s systemic lens for shaping future European preparedness actions.
Willem Jan Goossen (DG CLIMA) followed with insights from the EU Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA), warning that “several of the 36 key risks identified for Europe are already at a critical level — policy development is not keeping pace with the speed of change.” He underscored that future EU climate resilience efforts must address compound, cascading, and wildcard risks, pointing to the upcoming Integrated Framework for Climate Resilience (due 2026) as a key opportunity to align with MYRIAD-EU’s findings.
From Tools to Impact
The second-half of the roundtable showcased MYRIAD-EU’s suite of tools and methods – from the Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways for Multi-Risk (DAPP-MR) approach and MYRIAD-EU Framework to the MYRIAD-EU software platform – with examples from the Scandinavian and Danube Region Pilots illustrating real-world applications.
Lively discussions followed on the need for tailored narratives to engage diverse sectors and on bridging science and policy. Experts from Wetlands International, AON, and Risklayer presented how MYRIAD-EU’s tools are informing resilience in ecosystems, finance, and tourism.
Building the Next Generation of Risk Experts
Early career researchers also took the floor, highlighting the importance of funding, peers-to-peers training, and effective risk communication targeting younger generations to sustain Europe’s multi-hazard expertise. Their contributions highlighted ongoing efforts to integrate emerging researchers into multi-hazard risk assessment and management processes across Europe.
Looking Ahead
As MYRIAD-EU looks ahead to its final joint event with XAIDA in Amsterdam on 17–18 December 2025, the Brussels roundtable offered a platform for exchanging ideas on multi-hazard risk assessment, policy integration, and practical applications. Discussions emphasised the role of multi-risk approaches and data tools in supporting decision-making and planning, and the importance of collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and governance levels to respond to Europe’s evolving risk landscape.
Learn more about MYRIAD-EU and upcoming results at www.myriadproject.eu.