The Natural Hazards Partnership: A public-sector collaboration across the UK for natural hazard disaster risk reduction

Abstract

The Natural Hazards Partnership (NHP) is a collaboration between 17 UK public bodies11The Natural Hazards Partnership is comprised of British Geological Survey, Cabinet Office, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Environment Agency, Government Office for Science, Health & Safety Executive, Met Office, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, National Oceanography Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, Ordnance Survey, Public Health England, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, The Scottish Government, UK Space Agency and Welsh Government. to provide authoritative, consistent, and useful, hazard, impact and risk assessment information to responder communities and governments. Over the last decade, disasters have affected over 1.5 billion people across the world and damages are estimated to have exceeded $1.5 trillion. To reduce future impacts from natural disasters, the NHP is looking to establish itself as an international model of best practice for delivery of trusted natural hazard advice and services. Development of this impact-focused information and advice is supported by coordinated access to cutting-edge science and natural hazard impact research. This paper presents the NHP as a successful example of a national collaboration of public bodies with a common goal. The partnership's organization and scientific approach is discussed alongside a review of activities and deliverables developed to help realize the NHP's vision: ‘To be the UK's trusted voice for natural hazards advice’. The NHP has overcome collaborative challenges of multi-organizational, geographically dispersed working by building common ground, respect and trust. This has allowed the development of strong leadership and inter-organizational coordination practices and created an agreed common approach to scientific research. These achievements have helped to ensure that the NHP produces valuable products, services and advice, which could translate to other disciplines and other communities.