Vulnerability Dynamics in (Multi-)Hazard-Risk Research

Vulnerability is a central component of risk, shaping the extent to which individuals or other elements at risk are affected by natural hazards. It can be linked to single or multiple hazards, and is driven by a myriad of interacting factors, including shifting social, economic, and environmental conditions. Additionally, disadvantaged social groups such as ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and women often carry a disproportional burden from natural hazards. As a result, assessing and addressing vulnerability have become increasingly complex tasks. It demands not only a holistic characterisation of the system under investigation but also an in-depth understanding of the root causes of vulnerability and their spatial and temporal dynamics. This integration of holism and depth has, nonetheless, proved overwhelming, with most studies accepting trade-offs, especially in the context of repeated disaster exposure, where recovery between events is not always possible.

This working group proposes highlighting the dynamic nature of vulnerability across all phases of disaster management and climate adaptation, thereby advancing its integration across disciplines in the climate and natural hazards fields.