CSS in the BABS Magazine 24/25
The Center for Security Studies (CSS) and the studies of the Risk and Resilience Team are featured in the current Magazine of the Federal Office for Civil Protection FOCP.
The external page Magazine BABS 24/25 is the annual magazine of the Federal Office for Civil Protection. This year, it focuses on twelve megatrends in civil protection. Particular emphasis is placed on the topic of earthquakes. Additionally, a detailed review of the year discusses major cross-cantonal and international exercises.
The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich is active in the field of civil protection in a variety of ways and contributes to the further development of civil protection with comprehensive studies. This year's BABS Magazine 24/25 (p. 4-17) spotlights the Trend Analysis Civil Protection 2035 report, exploring the trends, opportunities and challenges it presents. The identified trends are going to be further discussed at this year's Civil Protection Conference «Megatrends and earthquake resilience» with the participation of CSS.
As part of the study Civil Protection Roadmap for Drought Resilience in Switzerland, the recommendation «Strengthening drought preparedness through exercises» has already been put into action. Together with the external page WSL research program Extremes and the Federal Office for Civil Protection, the CSS organized a external page tabletop-exercise on drought events in Switzerland (p. 29-32). Together with partners from the civil protection system and the scientific community, this collaborative exercise provided a deeper understanding of severe droughts and their impacts. International participants at the UN Disaster Risk Reduction Global Platform 2025 also got the chance to experience this exercise in Geneva.
Future research of the Risk & Resilience team is going to examine how preparedness efforts in civil protection, and therefore societal resilience, can be further strengthened through platforms such as this exercise.