At a glance
Developing integrated approaches to the management of natural and anthropogenic risks for more sustainable spatial planning
BRGM assesses the risks associated with natural hazards that affect the ground, subsurface and coastline and the risks linked to post-mining and contaminated sites and soils. Its expertise covers every type of geographical area and time scale and addresses the entire risk-management chain, from prevention and early warning systems to crisis management and remediation, or improving resilience.
Today, risk management and spatial planning involve a wide range of interdependent factors, which are also significantly impacted by climate and societal changes. This complex process requires cross-cutting approaches, combining geosciences and other environmental and social science disciplines.
BRGM's work contributes to understanding physical and bio-geo-chemical phenomena and their societal impacts and therefore helps to increase the resilience of local and regional communities.
A cavity under surveillance in the May-sur-Orne mine basin (Calvados, Normandy, 2009).
© BRGM
Strategic challenges
Managing ground and subsurface risks
Much of France faces potential risks linked to the climate, geology or human activities. Following a substantial increase in the damage caused by natural disasters between the 1960s and the 2000s, we are beginning to see the results of investments in risk prevention, early warning systems and crisis management.
In order to be effective in addressing risks, the expert appraisals carried out need to cover every aspect of the risk management assessment chain: prevention, preparation, early warning, crisis management, recovery, adaptation and resilience. This requires research and expertise in order to understand and model processes, develop integrated observation approaches, support crisis management, and implement strategies and solutions to reduce risk and build resilience.
To achieve this objective, BRGM needs to develop its capability to integrate predictive assessments, along with risk mitigation and anticipation. The aim is to cover a range of issues, from understanding the physical and (geo)chemical phenomena involved, through to their impact on society, taking into account the input of human and social sciences.
Two key challenges must be met in relation to ground and subsurface risks resulting from human activities:
- The more virtuous use of the ground and subsurface in order to reduce the footprint of future activities,
- The development of methodologies for rehabilitating so-called "legacy" pollution sites.
Another issue is the emergence of risks that combine natural and anthropogenic factors, primarily the remobilisation and dispersion of pollutants into the environment following climate-related events. The impacts of climate change need to be fully integrated into risk simulation models for both inland and coastal areas.
The other challenge concerns soil conservation and rehabilitation, particularly in urban areas, as part of the European policy on soil health. Damage to soil health is an urgent issue. Indeed, immediate action needs to be taken to prevent the deterioration of the soil due to erosion or contamination.
Treatability tests for PFASs using reducers.
© BRGM
Ambition
Prevent natural and anthropogenic risks, have a better understanding of multi-faceted risks
BRGM studies risks linked to the ground and subsurface, whether of natural origin or linked to human activities, and notably:
- Natural geological risks: earthquakes, landslides, erosion, collapsing cavities, volcanic eruptions, clay shrinkage and swelling;
- Coastal risks: coastal flooding (storms, cyclones, tsunamis), retreating coastline, notably taking into account the effects of climate change (e.g. rising sea levels);
- Anthropogenic risks, linked to former industrial sites and polluted soils, and former mining operations.
BRGM's aims to develop expertise covering both natural risks and risks linked to human activity. The goal is to gain a better understanding of multi-faceted risks, determine potential cascade effects and anticipate disruptions to the norm, particularly during extreme events.
This positioning is reinforced by BRGM's role as co-leader of the national Risks (IRiMa) PEPR (French priority research and equipment programme) and as a provider of technical support to the General Directorate for Prevention and Risks (DGPR, part of the French Ministry of Ecological Transition) concerning natural risks, waste, polluted sites and soils.
This will open up new opportunities to develop tools and solutions to help local and regional communities apply a systemic approach to reducing risks and building resilience. BRGM will also continue to develop synergies between research, assessment, innovation and support for public-policy making in the field of ground and subsurface risk management.
BRGM's added value
- A multi-disciplinary scientific skillset covering all telluric, hydro-gravity and anthropogenic risks, as well as the ability to take account of interactions between these different types of risk.
- The capacity to develop a wide range of digital solutions (data bases, software, digital platforms, meta-models, etc.), as well as socio-economic solutions to help forecast and manage risks based on current or future conditions and support decision-making concerning spatial planning and development.
- Experimental facilities that are unique in Europe, notably the PRIME platform.
What kind of partnership initiatives?
Against the backdrop of climate change, assessing and managing risks more effectively at different regional levels, whether on an individual basis or through a more broad-ranging multi-risk approach
- Regional risk assessments to develop an integrated, multi-scale risk-management method.
- Prospective assessment of the effects of climate change and the consequences on decision-making, linked to the mitigation measures chosen.
- Development of early-warning systems and tools to anticipate potential impacts.
- Development of specific hazard or risk indicators tailored to the needs of users (local authorities, businesses, insurance companies).
Factoring in the potential of the soil and subsurface to ensure the most effective spatial planning and use of land
- Mitigation measures using nature-based solutions.
- Technologies and methodologies for monitoring and removing organic and inorganic contaminants from soil and groundwater.
- Methods and processes for sustainable construction and for rehabilitating degraded soils for new uses.
