There is no such thing as absolute safety from natural hazards. There are risks that we as a society cannot completely avoid.
What do we want to protect
Protected assets: What do we want to protect?
When identifying risks, the first question to ask is: What is located in the affected area that is to be protected?
The most important protected good is people. Other protected goods are those that are important for the functioning of society and the economy. These may be the objects themselves (e.g. buildings, roads, power lines, machines) or their function (e.g. education at school, enjoyment of art in a museum, supply of drinking water, production in a factory). If, for example, buildings are destroyed or transport routes are interrupted, indirect damage is added to the direct damage: If the functions fail, people become homeless and need emergency accommodation, or the ambulance cannot cross the road and rescue injured people.
"Appropriate Safety" recommendation
One hundred percent safety remains unattainable. With the publication Appropriate Safety, PLANAT has created an updated basis for dealing with risks posed by natural hazards in a modern and responsible manner. The publication shows how safety can be appropriately defined and implemented, taking social, ecological, and economic aspects into account.
Measures should be designed in such a way that natural hazards do not significantly increase the general risk to life. At the same time, it is recognized that risks can never be completely ruled out. This is why transparent considerations and comprehensible decisions are needed.
Appropriate safety therefore does not mean maximum safety at any price, but rather a balanced, responsible approach to risks. Safety is a shared responsibility—it is achieved through cooperation, prevention, and continuous development.