Aikaterini Poustourli¹, Michail Chalaris² and Dimitrios Emmanoloudis³
¹International Hellenic University, Serres, Greece
²Department of Chemistry, International Hellenic University, Kavala, Greece
³Department of Forestry and Natural Environment, International Hellenic University, Drama, Greece

Part of the book: The Challenges of Disaster Planning, Management, and Resilience

Abstract

This chapter aims at presenting the existing legislative framework, the main European Research & Innovation (R&I) findings and the current trends relating to the Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRNe) threats. Europe is called to adapt to changing security realities including a wide range of threats that challenge the resilience of societies and preparedness of systems. The analysis of National Risk Assessments (NRAS) shows that CBRN risks, ranging from dangerous substance and radiological accidents to the malicious use of CBRN materials, are a major concern for the Participating States in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). Growing interdependencies between different sectors and critical infrastructures (CI) mean that a single incident may have significant cascading effects. Extreme weather events complicate the threat landscape. The line between manmade threats and natural hazards can become blurred, especially if disinformation is involved. New, complex and difficult to predict combinations of threats, require civilian actors and civil protection authorities to be alert as to the resilience and flexibility of the systems currently in place. In consequence, the EU being aware of the importance of financing, investing, cooperating and protecting against CBRNE threats, is funding relevant R&I projects, mainly under the Horizon 2020 and FP7 frameworks.

Keywords: Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Threats (CBRN), security, Horizon 2020, preparedness, Research & Innovation (R&I) projects, Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), hazards

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