Call: Critical Infrastructure Protection topic 2: Demonstration activity on tools for adapting building and infrastructure standards and design methodologies in vulnerable locations in the case of natural or man-originated catastrophes

• Health, demographic change and wellbeing;
• Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the Bioeconomy;
• Secure, clean and efficient energy;
• Smart, green and integrated transport;
• Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials;
• Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies;
• Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens.

This Subprogramme aims to achieve a resource- and water-efficient economoy and society that is also resilient to climate change. Furthermore, it seeks to promote the protection and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems. Lastly, the Programme also supports the sustainable supply and use of raw materials, in order to meet the needs of a growing global population within the sustainable limits of the planet's natural resources and eco-systems.

Extreme weather and climate events, interacting with exposed and vulnerable human and natural systems, can lead to disasters. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), some types of extreme events (e.g. flash floods and related landslides, storm surges, heatwaves, fires, including vegetation fires) have increased in frequency or magnitude, and in the meantime populations and assets at risk have also increased, leading to greater disaster risks. In order to better forecast and manage the immediate consequences of weather- and climate-related disasters, in particular regarding emergency responses, improved measures and technologies are needed.

The expected increase of frequency and severity of climate-related natural catastrophes and the current risks of disasters of geological origin pose a serious threat to buildings and physical assets located in vulnerable locations, including critical infrastructures (i.e. public buildings, such as governmental offices, transport stations, terminals and historical buildings and monuments) along their life cycle. One of the responses to be better prepared to crises related to hazards is to adapt building standards and infrastructure in order to limit the risks of demolition, protect critical infrastructure and save human lives in the case of a major event. As a complement to current research in this area, and based on the knowledge of risks (natural or man-originated) in vulnerable areas in Europe, building standards should be developed and tested, applying a number of technological means and design procedures.