Topic Natural hazards

With its many mountains and bodies of water, Switzerland is highly prone to natural hazards. Extensive and growing settlements and infrastructure increase the potential for damage. Climate change will exacerbate the existing risks and create new ones, such as more frequent and intense heavy precipitation and longer periods of drought. Natural hazards will increasingly occur in areas that have not been affected thus far, and at unusual times of the year. This makes a well-informed, forward-looking approach to natural hazards even more important.

Effective management of natural hazards requires a thorough understanding of these hazards and the associated risks. In addition to the hazards themselves, information on land use is crucial for integrated risk management.

Are extremes the new normal? In the alpine region, warming has increased about twice as much as the global average since the late 19th century. Switzerland is particularly affected by the impacts of climate change. This affects a wide variety of areas of society and natural and cultural areas in Switzerland. Observations show that climate change is already influencing the natural hazard situation. The Confederation is taking various measures.

There is no such thing as absolute protection against natural hazards. Experience from past natural events has shown that natural hazards must be addressed in a comprehensive and sustainable manner. The goal of all measures is to reduce existing risks to an acceptable level and to prevent new, unacceptable risks. Protection against natural hazards is a joint effort.

New challenges are emerging in Switzerland as climate change, urban development and land use densification increase the risks due to natural hazards. To remain adaptable, we need to be able to detect changes and developments at an early stage.