Abstract
The risk of compound events describes potential weather and climate events in which the combination of multiple drivers and hazards consolidate, resulting in extreme socio-economic impacts. Compound events affecting exposed societies can therefore be deemed a crucial security risk. Designing appropriate preparation proves difficult, as compound events are rarely documented. This paper explores the understanding and practices of climate risk management related to compound events in specific Danish municipalities vulnerable to flood hazards (i.e., Odense, Hvidovre, and Vejle). These practices illuminate that different understandings of compound events steer risk attitudes and consequently decisions regarding the use of different policy instruments. Through expert interviews supported by policy documents, we found that the municipalities understand compound events as either a condition or situation and develop precautionary strategies to some extent. Depending on their respective geographical surroundings, they observe compound events either as no clear trend (Odense), a trend to be critically watched (Hvidovre), or already as a partial reality (Vejle). They perceive flood drivers and their combinations as major physical risks to which they adopt different tailor-made solutions. By choosing a bottom-up approach focusing on local governance structures, it demonstrated that the mismatch between responsibility and capacity and the ongoing separation of services related to climatic risks in the Danish municipality context need to be critically considered. The findings highlight that the complex challenge of compound events cannot be solved by one (scientific) discipline alone. Thus, the study advocates a broader inclusion of scientific practices and increased emphasis on local focus within compound event research to foster creative thinking, better preparation, and subsequently more effective management of their risks.
Highlights
On 11 October 2019, the Danish municipality of Vejle was hit hard by an extreme rainfall event
The risk of compound events describes potential weather and climate events in which the combination of multiple drivers and hazards consolidate resulting in extreme socioeconomic impacts (Raymond et al, 2020)
Danish municipalities are increasingly exposed to such events, which presents a significant challenge to risk management at the local level
Summary
On 11 October 2019, the Danish municipality of Vejle was hit hard by an extreme rainfall event (the third extreme rainfall event in Vejle in 2019 according to Butts, 2021). The rapidity of the rainfall and the already high water levels from the surrounding fjord led to a challenging situation where the authorities were unable to prevent damage by using their existing water-pump systems (Cherry, 2019; Mørk, 2019; Sahl, 2019; Vejle Kommune, 2019) Such a situation can be an example for a compound event. The risk of a compound event describes the likelihood of multiple interacting climatic drivers or hazards, such as heavy rain storm combined with saturated soil, which occurs in a vulnerable environment. They are often resulting in high to extreme socio-economic impacts (Leonard et al, 2014). Conventional research approaches were predominantly focused on single drivers or univariate hazards, to narrow research outputs and to reduce the complexity of climate dynamics, overseeing the potential risks stemming from dependent multiple climatic drivers (Zscheischler et al, 2018; Bevacqua et al, 2021)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
