Publications

  This brief explores how social protection can support climate-risk management and resilience by addressing shocks before they happen, including by contributing to the resilience framework proposed in the BRACED programme.

The Climate Centre study of humanitarian perparedness for the 2015-2016 El Niño in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia and Zambia finds that messaging and forecast were timely and credible. 

This publication sets out several simple strategies that can help to manage the unavoidable impacts of climate change (adaptation) and curb its long-term effects by reducing greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation). Though the problem may seem huge and paralyzingly complex, Nat[...]

The course provides an introduction to climate change and aims to help staff and volunteers understand how they can contribute to addressing related issues in their day to day work within local communities.

The Red Cross Red Crescent recognizes that climate change is a ‘threat multiplier’ in the 21st century and fighting it is a long-term effort. Governments must educate and raise the awareness of their people, who need to know the effects of climate change on their lives and act on[...]

This report was produced in collaboration with Reading University and with support from the UK Department for International Development. It covers research priorities for forecast-based financing as part of the university’s programme entitled Science for Humanitarian Emerge[...]

This IFRC publication provides a new overview of Red Cross Red Crescent reference centres, of which the Climate Centre is one, working to build the capacity of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Working in coordination with the IFRC secretariat, the reference [...]

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the IFRC have developed a new ‘Seasonal Rainfall Watch’ to encourage Red Cross disater managers to use seasonal forecasts for preparedness in the Pacific, to help them prepared for and respond to disaster and manage droughts an[...]

The climate is a key determinant of where people live and climate change can lead to population movements, including migration and displacement. This can occur when extreme weather events make areas temporarily uninhabitable. But well-planned and managed migration can reduce[...]

This guide to how to access dedicated sources of donor funding for climate change work is one of a suite of guidance documents on climate for National Societies published by the IFRC in 2013. 

This guide to mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in operational planning is one of a suite of guidance documents on climate for National Societies published by the IFRC in 2013. 

This guide supports National Societies’ engagement in national-level policy discussions on climate change adaptation through the development of NAPs worldwide. It is one of a suite of guidance documents on climate for National Societies published by the IFRC in 2013. 

The IFRC’s 2013–16 Plan of Action reiterates the organization’s commitment “to work together with its members to raise the ambition and contribution of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in addressing climate change.”

Harmonized messaging is a key goal in disaster reduction awareness, and is particularly important when it comes to scaling-up efforts to create a culture of safety. To promote consistent actions to the public, we need key safety and resilience messages.

Early warning is one of many important tools that contribute to the prevention of disasters and preparedness for hazards and threats. It greatly enhances disaster risk reduction. A well-prepared National Society will understand and promote the role of people-centred early-warning[...]

  This guide is designed to help National Societies to plan and develop public awareness and public education efforts for disaster risk reduction. 

A guide to supporting the local actions of children and young people, with special emphasis on girls and young women. 

The report was researched and written by Lisette Braman, Technical Advisor with the Red Cross Red Crescent (RC/RC) Climate Centre.

Another year of extremes. Find our multimedia report here. 

Addressing climate risk in a year of hunger. Find our multimedia report here. 

Addressing the humanitarian consequences of climate change

This report highlights the outcomes of a study to assess the opportunities and barriers to the access and use of climate information for urban small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda and Kenya.

A summary of a 2018 study in eight urban areas of Kenya and Uganda on the climate information needs of small and medium enterprises. 

A selection of ten compelling case studies from Partners for Resilience in Indonesia.

The three-and-half-year Protracted Crisis Programme for Ethiopia’s Somali Region reached nearly 38,500 people with food security initiatives – more than a third of them women.

The three-and-half-year Protracted Crisis Programme for Ethiopia’s Somali Region reached nearly 38,500 people with food security initiatives – more than a third of them women.

New World Weather Attribution study of Hurricane Harvey shows associated extreme rainfall roughly three times more likely and 15 per cent more intense. 

Forecast-based financing has been piloted in many countries with support from the German government through the German Red Cross. This publication tells you about the pilots in Togo and Uganda. 

Representatives from the National Societies of Armenia, Georgia, Kenya, Malawi and Nepal gathered in Marrakech alongside the UN COP 22 to share experience and generate case studies showing their involvement with their countries’ National Adaptation Plans.

A case study from PfR Philippines that shows that traditional knowledge and practices reinforced with scientific data are effective approaches in engaging with communities on how they can addressing their vulnerabilities.

A case study from PfR Philippines. The Philippine RC has deepened its understanding on empowering communities.This has entailed building the capacity of PRC not only to respond and prepare for disasters but also to better understand and address underlying causes of risks. 

A case study from PfR Indonesia.  PfR’s interventions have focused on helping farmers improve their livelihood options.

A unique Red Cross Red Crescent project, funded by the US Rockefeller Foundation, has explored ways of integrating climate with health programming in Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania and Vietnam.

 “Together we’re prepared for climate change” is a participatory project funded by the Australian government, supporting increased community resilience in the face of climate variability and change in Vanuatu in a coordinated and creative way.

Carbon dioxide does not just stay in the atmosphere and warm the planet. About one third of the carbon dioxide produced through human activities since the Industrial Revolution has been absorbed by the world’s oceans, which is changing sea chemistry.

The five Netherlands Partners for Resilience agencies are working to adapt traditional participatory tools for community risk assessment to a changing climate. These assessments play a key role in understanding vulnerability, and include people’s capacities in a way that that helps i[...]

In 2011 and 2012, the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) was intensifying its drive to find ways to reinforce the climate-resilience of food supplies in the aftermath of the latest drought that left an estimated 4 million Kenyans food-insecure. This document tells you more about[...]

The 2006–11 Preparedness for Climate Change Programme, initiated by the Climate Centre and implemented with the IFRC, assisted 64 National Societies as they took first steps toward addressing the humanitarian consequences of climate change. This study features some of the many a[...]

The second phase of the Climate Centre’s programme to help National Societies address the humanitarian impacts of climate change and variability concluded in June 2011, with disaster managers worldwide reporting climate-related risks were increasingly included in planning and program[...]

On 27-28 July 2010, representatives from the Red Cross Red Crescent and the Chinese government met, for the first time, as a group. What was unusual about this meeting was the convergence of government departments including those responsible for agriculture, health, climate change, a[...]

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of the Philippines and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Palestine and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Niger and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Myanmar and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Mozambique and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Mali and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Lebanon and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Kenya and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Jordan and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Iraq and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Iran and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Egypt and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Colombia and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Chad and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of the Central African Republic and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Burkina Faso and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Bangladesh and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Azerbaijan and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This climate fact sheet summarizes the available information on the climate of Afghanistan and the impact of climate change on humanitarian activities in-country.

This briefing note outlines common winter weather hazards experienced across Europe and CentralAsia, and the ways in which National Societies are preparing for and responding to them. It also providesinsights into how our changing climate is influencing weather hazards, and highlight[...]

All seven steps of the climate action journey are now summarized in this brief, encompassing both climate-smart programmes and locally led adaptation (Arabic version).

All seven steps of the climate action journey are now summarized in this brief, encompassing both climate-smart programmes and locally led adaptation (English version).

All seven steps of the climate action journey are now summarized in this brief, encompassing both climate-smart programmes and locally led adaptation (French version).

All seven steps of the climate action journey are now summarized in this brief, encompassing both climate-smart programmes and locally led adaptation (Spanish version).

In this blog, Prisca Chisala, Malawi Red Cross Society Director of Programmes and climate champion, describes the climate action journey as taken by her society, and expresses the hope that their lessons identified and shared will be particularly helpful and inspiring to others.

This brief for National Societies argues that locally led adaptation should be the default approach to channelling climate finance and strengthening adaptation by directing flexible and targeted funding, information on climate risks, and technical support for local solutions.

Climate change more than doubled the intensity of extreme wildfire weather in Quebec in the 2023 summer.

This guide supports National Societies and the IFRC in making their programmes and operations climate-smart, the first and most critical component of their much broader climate action journey.

This guide supports National Societies and the IFRC in making their programmes and operations climate-smart, the first and most critical component of their much broader climate action journey.

The road map is a key tool to guide how our network in the Europe region plans to collectively scale-up climate action by 2025 and beyond.

Climate disruption affects – and will increasingly affect – populations across the globe. Increasing climate risks (trends and shocks) threaten lives, exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and inequalities, and accentuate societal fragility.

On Monday 22 February 2021, the Climate Centre convened a workshop on responding to climate impacts with over 45 participants from developing and developed countries. The outcomes from that workshop are summarized in this report and will feed into the Climate and Development Minister[...]

This document showcases a wide range of concrete examples over a decade of climate action spurred by the global Partners for Resilience (PfR) alliance.

A first look at the number of people affected by intersecting disasters.

In this policy brief for the 9th session of the World Urban Forum in Kuala Lumpur, PfR argues that strengthening resilience in urban areas plays a significant role in minimizing risks. Strong, well-organized communities can manage the risks they face.

Minimum Standards for local climate‐smart disaster risk reduction

The introduction to the series of country reports, detailing methodology and steps in the process.

To understand how social protection can help tackle some of the impacts of these risks, we conductedan analysis of how they address people’s vulnerabilities when exposed to cold waves in three high-income contexts: New York, London and Paris in France. Findings could help inform poli[...]

To understand how social protection can help tackle some of the impacts of these risks, we conductedan analysis of how they address people’s vulnerabilities when exposed to cold waves in three high-income contexts: New York, London and Paris in France. Findings could help inform poli[...]

This brief gives an overview of the different climate-related hazards that urban spaces are at risk from and explains why social protection can be effective in addressing these risks.

This brief gives an overview of different country case studies where social protection has been used to address risks arising from climate-related hazards in urban areas.

This brief explores the connections between WASH and social protection, and will help National Societies see how their activities can combine the shared objectives of these two sectors.

The objective of the brief is to provide the government and humanitarian and developmentagencies in Nepal with practical options to strengthen social protection to be more adaptive to shocks.

This paper is the first of a series of outputs and provides a general overview of the social protection and forecast-based financing landscape.

This working paper considers the Covid-19 pandemic alongside climate-related disasters and explores the use of novel tools, programmes and systems in social protection in various national responses to the pandemic.

This advocacy brief aims to provide National Societies with an overview of how linking forecast-based financing and social protection can help in early action and preparedness, showcasing examples from Kenya, Malawi and the Philippines.

This briefing note explains how social protection programmes that benefit individuals and households can complement community-based integrated risk manamagent approaches. 

  This brief explores how social protection can support climate-risk management and resilience by addressing shocks before they happen, including by contributing to the resilience framework proposed in the BRACED programme.

This paper presents the Minimum Standards for local climate-smart disaster risk reduction and details how they can help action on climate change post-2015. It provides an overview of the standards and their relevance for guiding climate-smart action at the community&nbs[...]

An increasing number of scientific disciplines focus on understanding how and why people make decisions and behave the way they do – issues of great significance to humanitarian and environmental organizations working on climate change, risk management and other issues. This[...]

This guidance note outlines how climate change can impact men and women differently and identifies important ways in which gender roles can strengthen men’s and women’s capacity to adapt to changing climate-related risks.

Two humorous animation films by an alliance of agencies in the Pacific link climate science with decision-making and preparedness. The Pacific Adventures of the Climate Crab gives an overview of climate processes, impacts and possible adaptation measures in the wider Pa[...]

This detailed look at best practice for using games in disaster risk reduction, using the example of Ready! in Namibia, documents what’s been learned by humanitarian organizations, designers, and practitioners interested in the potential of games. 

Empowering Africa’s decision-makers

How can film assist communication between stakeholders? This working paper argues for a “diversity of problem-solving approaches” as climate change unfolds. Film, a powerful medium, can kindle emotions and evoke changes of mind and behaviour; it offers promising way of eliciting posi[...]

Games with an underlying serious purpose can speed up learning, dialogue and action on climate risks, engaging people’s minds and emotions, in sharp contrast to unidirectional learning through traditional lectures and PowerPoint presentations. Learn how with this working paper, the f[...]

An Evaluation of IFRC West and Central Africa Zone Flood Preparedness and Response, 2008