UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Does Mitigation Save? Reviewing cost-1 benefit analyses of disaster risk reduction

Shreve, CM; Kelman, I; (2014) Does Mitigation Save? Reviewing cost-1 benefit analyses of disaster risk reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction , 10 (A) pp. 213-235. 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2014.08.004. Green open access

[thumbnail of Article] Text (Article)
1-s2.0-S2212420914000661-main.pdf

Download (304kB)

Abstract

The benefit-cost-ratio (BCR), used in cost-benefit analysis (CBA), is an indicator that attempts to summarize the overall value for money of a project. Disaster costs continue to rise and the demand has increased to demonstrate the economic benefit of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) to policy makers. This study compiles and compares original CBA case studies reporting DRR BCRs, without restrictions as to hazard type, location, scale, or other parameters. Many results were identified supporting the economic effectiveness of DRR, however, key limitations were identified, including a lack of: sensitivity analyses, meta-analyses which critique the literature, consideration of climate change, evaluation of the duration of benefits, broader consideration of the process of vulnerability, and potential disbenefits of DRR measures. The studies demonstrate the importance of context for each BCR result. Recommendations are made regarding minimum criteria to consider when conducting DRR CBAs.

Type: Article
Title: Does Mitigation Save? Reviewing cost-1 benefit analyses of disaster risk reduction
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2014.08.004
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2014.08.004
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright 2014 The Authors. Published by ElsevierLtd.This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
Keywords: natural disasters, risk management, ecosystems, CBA, DRR
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Inst for Risk and Disaster Reduction
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1446913
Downloads since deposit
323Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item