URB-D.05.B - Natural Disaster Emergency Response Plan
Does the company have an emergency response plan for natural disasters?
About the data
The WBA Urban Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to shape sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban environments, tracking how companies address essential urban needs while respecting planetary boundaries across dimensions including decent work and human rights, environmental and climate impacts, social inclusion, and sustainability leadership. The 2026 edition assessed 300 companies across four key industries shaping urban environments: real estate, construction and engineering, transport, and utilities. Companies were scored on 24 urban-specific indicators plus 18 core social indicators, spanning four measurement areas: sustainable governance, inclusive cities, healthy cities, and climate change and resilient cities. The benchmark is designed to incentivise the private sector to take adequate responsibility for its role in ensuring affordable, safe and inclusive urban environments for all. More information can be found here.
Methodology
Designers, builders and operators of built environments must be prepared for the
possibility of emergencies and be able to provide an appropriate response to guarantee the safety
and survival of everyone exposed to risks. This translates to installing early warning systems and
implementing emergency response systems that are regularly tested and communicated to all users.
Companies must also ensure that their buildings and infrastructures have adequate evacuation plans,
are equipped with emergency supplies, are connected to first responders and have adequate
maintenance measures planned to reduce the impact of hazards and increase systemic resilience.
Additionally, companies should have backup or reserve capacities to ensure that basic services are not
affected for extended periods after an emergency.
Research Guidance
The company must report on its emergency response plan for natural disasters with the following information.
1\. An emergency response plan detailing immediate actions during a natural disaster, including roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols.
2\. Resource allocation to support response and recovery, specifying key resources and/or pre-arranged support agreements with external parties.
3\. Evidence that the emergency response plan has been shared with relevant emergency services.
possibility of emergencies and be able to provide an appropriate response to guarantee the safety
and survival of everyone exposed to risks. This translates to installing early warning systems and
implementing emergency response systems that are regularly tested and communicated to all users.
Companies must also ensure that their buildings and infrastructures have adequate evacuation plans,
are equipped with emergency supplies, are connected to first responders and have adequate
maintenance measures planned to reduce the impact of hazards and increase systemic resilience.
Additionally, companies should have backup or reserve capacities to ensure that basic services are not
affected for extended periods after an emergency.
Research Guidance
The company must report on its emergency response plan for natural disasters with the following information.
1\. An emergency response plan detailing immediate actions during a natural disaster, including roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols.
2\. Resource allocation to support response and recovery, specifying key resources and/or pre-arranged support agreements with external parties.
3\. Evidence that the emergency response plan has been shared with relevant emergency services.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report