A harmonised and inclusive climate risk assessment framework: standardising flexibility for regions and communities in Europe

Abstract Climate change impacts are increasing. Consequently, the need for harmonised, effective, and inclusive climate risk assessments (CRAs) that operate at local and regional scales to inform climate risk management (CRM) strategies has become paramount. Various frameworks for CRA have been developed across contexts, showcasing clear and proven steps for assessing climate risk. However, key issues remain overlooked or unaddressed, such as effective integration of qualitative and quantitative risk aspects, operationalisation of risk evaluation, including participation, or explicit consideration of response as a driver of risk, as well as effective tailoring to different scales and circumstances. The framework presented here provides a harmonised and inclusive CRA approach adapted for regional and local use, while advocating what we call standardised flexibility . This is achieved through a conceptual and methodological framework that provides reference to existing standards while supporting new directions and accounting for individual needs and risk situations across diverse contexts. Within the developed assessment cycle, particular attention is given to the process of risk evaluation (Key Risk Assessment), emphasising the social construction of risk while attributing for adaptation response via resilience capacity. Framework application is demonstrated by six case studies across the EU and beyond, illustrating strengths and capabilities, as well as limitations in practice. Overall, the presented framework provides a strengthened CRA approach with improved translation for CRM, thus moving towards useful and relevant climate risk information that can support CRM and a resilient future.