The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report warns that climate-change impacts—hazards such as bushfires, drought and flooding—are becoming more frequent and more intense, damaging nature, people and infrastructure. Yet measures to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to these climate-fuelled hazards are coming far too slow.  Even if greenhouse-gas emissions stop tomorrow, the impacts of climate change will continue to increase due to past emissions. Under a relatively optimistic low-emissions scenario, the cost of natural disasters in Australia is estimated to grow to $73 billion annually by 2060.

With every new bushfire and flood, Australia is spending more on disaster recovery. Now, we need to learn how to prepare for—and not just recover from—natural disasters.

The course is run by the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions (ICEDS) and brings together leading researchers from across the University to share latest research and discuss disaster solutions.

Scope

This Disaster Solutions professional short course provides participants with an understanding of the trajectory of disasters, how Australia and the world are responding to this escalating trend, and the need for going beyond incremental thinking to find transformative solutions for disaster risk reduction (DRR). It explores the impacts of climate change on disasters, systems thinking for Disaster Risk Reduction, the relationship of Disaster Risk Reduction with climate change adaptation, financing for disaster solutions, and the challenges and opportunities in enabling disaster solutions.

Program

Please note that this program is subject to change. 

• Welcome and Introduction
• Natural hazards, climate change and the need for transformational change - Associate Professor Roslyn Prinsley, Professor Mark Howden (ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions)
• Adaptation to climate change and disaster risk reduction: initiating and sustaining the changes needed, and the role of nature-based solutions - Associate Professor Roslyn Prinsley, Dr Jason Alexandra (ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions)
• Risk, vulnerability and resilience - Dr Siobhan McDonnell (ANU Crawford School of Public Policy), and Dr Astrid Vachette (ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions)
• Innovative financing for disaster solutions - Kate Simmonds (Investor Group on Climate Change)
• Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction across multiple sectors - Emeritus Professor Stephen Dovers (ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society)
• Enabling effective disaster solutions - Honorary Professor John Handmer (ANU College of Science), and Associate Professor Mark Crosweller (ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, and Ethical Intelligence Consultancy)
• Panel discussion and Q&A with lecturers - facilitated by Associate Professor Roslyn Prinsley (ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions)

Course venue and logistics, a detailed version of the course program, and optional reading materials will be made available to participants before the course begins.

Registrations for this course are via Humanitix (100% of Humantix profits go to education charities).

Details

• The course is delivered in-person.
• The course program includes six lectures on disaster risk reduction and resilience topics and group discussions to enable direct interaction with lecturers and other course participants.
• A short break punctuates every two session, and 40 minutes is allocated for lunch. Full catering is provided.
• Course timings are 9am - 5pm.
• The course will be held at The Australian National University, Acton ACT.

Who should attend?

The course is most relevant to practitioners, policy-makers and professionals working with/interested in disaster risk reduction and resilience in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region.

Important information

• Early bird discounted price - $1450 per person (GST inc.) for registrations until 9 August 2023.
• Standard registration - $1595 per person (GST inc.). Available until 15 August, 12pm.
• Group discount - $1450 per person (GST inc.) for single bulk bookings of 3 or more participants from the same organisation. Discount available until 15 August 2023, 12pm.
• Multi-course discount - $1250 per person (GST inc.) for participants who purchase a ticket for Climate Essentials course (15 August 2023). Discount available until 14 August 2023, 12pm.
• This course will take place subject to demand. Registrants will receive a full refund in the unlikely event that the course is cancelled. Places are limited and registrations are on a 'first come - first served' basis. Registrations close on 15 August 2023. For more refund details, see our Refund Policy.