Abstract ID: 3.12647 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

Understanding the interactions and feedbacks between biophysical processes and human activities is essential for fostering resilient mountain communities with adaptive capacities and comprehensive knowledge of natural hazards and associated risks. The use of a robust transdisciplinary approach supports the achievement of this understanding as it can bridge the gap between natural and social sciences, while also strengthening partnerships between stakeholders to ensure effective disaster and climate risk management for current and future challenges. The CAUTION project (Austrian Climate Research Programme) is an excellent example of this interplay, where scientists from different disciplines engage with multiple stakeholders to explore the interactions between natural (multi-)hazards, climate change and physical, economic, institutional and social dimensions in several Austrian study areas. They also collaborate on local climate change and natural hazard adaptation and risk management strategies This contribution discusses how a transdisciplinary approach, with its unique opportunities and challenges, plays out in this project. It focuses on the process of co-creating knowledge that improves our understanding of the natural hazard risks, their drivers, interconnections and impacts with local and regional stakeholders and the tools that we have used. In addition, the challenges and pitfalls encountered during the co-creation process are addressed, such as managing expectations, ensuring the feasibility of locally adapted strategies, and dealing with limited resources and competing interests.