Natural Hazards Triggering Technological Disasters (Natech) are becoming a growing concern for the international community and both private and public stakeholders. As climate change persists, extreme weather events such as heavy rains, lightening, floods and heatwaves are projected to be increasingly frequent and destructive, jeopardizing communities, livelihoods and industries. Accidents at industrial facilities caused by natural catastrophes could be particularly disastrous, not least as response and mitigation efforts might be especially hard to manage.

This brochure aims to raise awareness of Natech risks and the challenges associated with their management. It was developed by a steering group composed of the delegations of Czech Republic, France, Germany (lead country), Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the United States, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) / UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Joint Environment Unit, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) , and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).

The brochure is an indispensable tool that presents an overview of major Natech cases and suggests targeted measures aimed at ensuring sufficient industrial safety and resilience to extreme weather events. Being a practically oriented document, it is immeasurably pertinent for public authorities, operators of industrial facilities and specialized experts, while the relevant risk management framework is conducive to Agenda 2030, namely its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The publication is available in English.

Further information is available on the OECD website:https://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/chemical-accidents/risks-from-natural-hazards-at-hazardous-installations.htm