Cost-benefit analyses for flood risk management: more focus on vulnerable groups
Published: 21 June 2019
In his study, Jarl recommends an improved, alternative, application of the cost-benefit analyses that are used to underpin and prioritise investments in flood management measures. The cost-benefit analyses should focus more on the differences between rich and poor, vulnerable and non-vulnerable, people and on uncertainty about future developments. The improved application of these CBAs leads to different recommendations and therefore to different political decisions about who needs protection and where, and how much protection is needed. This is highly relevant because billions of dollars will be needed annually to protect a growing global population from flood risks.
Jarl: “In poor countries, measures (such as insurance, compensation and aid) that spread the damage differently among the population may be more important than physical measures designed to reduce the absolute level of flood risk”.
Jarl received his doctorate at the VU-University of Amsterdam yesterday afternoon.