The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) recently hosted the 2024 Bonn Technical Forum titled "Beyond Economic Losses: Towards a Holistic Approach on Tracking Losses and Damages." Supported by United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), Overseas Development Institute (ODI), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO),the event gathered experts to explore innovative ways of capturing non-economic losses across diverse contexts.

Disasters and climate change can lead to severe losses beyond immediate economic impacts—losses that are often harder to quantify but are essential to understanding the full scope of these events. Known as non-economic losses, these include impacts on social capital, cultural heritage, biodiversity, human health, and overall well-being. Data on these intangible impacts play a vital role in planning and financing measures to prevent and mitigate them, supporting a holistic approach to tracking and managing losses.

This session highlighted critical areas such as ecosystem services, nature’s contributions to people, traditional knowledge from local and Indigenous communities, gender equality, and social cohesion. By broadening data collection and deepening insights into these domains, experts aim to develop more comprehensive strategies that reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience across communities and ecosystems.

The results of the technical forum offer a roadmap for creating robust strategies that acknowledge all dimensions of loss. Explore the findings and insights from the forum here.