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Why are behavioural insights important for whole-of-society disaster preparedness?

This knowledge page compiles insights on the importance of behavioural science throughout the disaster risk management cycle. It has been compiled by the European Commission, the World Bank, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, and the Delft University of Technology based on existing evidence.

  • Publication | 2025
Behavioural Insights
UCPKN Knowledge Primer - Behavioural Insights

Being prepared for Europe’s changing risk landscape is essential to building societal resilience. Special Eurobarometer 547 pinpoints several areas of improvement in population preparedness, now addressed through key actions under the Preparedness Union Strategy.

Knowledge Primer: Why are behavioural insights important for whole-of-society disaster preparedness? 
Even if well informed, there can be other factors that influence people's actions, often leading to less rational and more emotionally driven choices. Behavioural and social sciences aim to understand the factors that influence individual’s decision-making and behaviour. They can thus help design solutions that align with how people process information and make decisions, ensuring that preparedness efforts are accessible, motivating, and easy to act on ultimately resulting in effective disaster resilience activities. By addressing behavioural barriers, behavioural insights can motivate stakeholders to act on these high-return investments reaching predominantly more cost-effective solutions according to benefit-cost ratio (BCR) studies.
 

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DOI
10.2795/8721896
Available from

07 Jul 2025

Related project & activitiesEncouraging disaster preparedness behavioursSusceptibility to misinformation during disasters
Related organisation(s)DG ECHO - DG for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
Knowledge service | MetadataBehavioural Insights | Behavioural insights for disaster and emergency preparedness
Digital Europa Thesaurus (DET)disaster risk reduction
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