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This study explores whether or how environmental impacts are considered in post-disaster needs assessments (PDNAs) covering hydrometeorological hazards, which are increasingly frequent due to climate change and environmental degradation. Following a systematic review of hydrometeorological PDNAs undertaken from 2008 to 2023, the study identified and analyzed a total of 42 of which included an assessment of the impacts of disasters on the environment. The review process also included consultations with PDNA experts to validate findings and refine recommendations.

This study identifies significant inconsistencies in how PDNAs assess and report environmental impacts, especially around ecosystem service valuation, data collection and pollution assessment. Recommendations for enhancing PDNA methodologies include:

• Clarify the issues that fall under environment versus other sectors, such as the productive or infrastructure sectors, in terms of forests, pollution and debris;
• Develop standard survey templates for data collection;
• Develop unit values for ecosystems and their services, potentially through national natural capital accounting;
• Engage the natural capital accounting/ecosystem valuation and biodiversity conservation community in the PDNA process;
• Build institutional capacity, including baseline data collection for continuous tracking of disaster impacts and ex-ante modelling of potential impacts before disasters occur;
• Revise guidelines for better guidance in terms of methodology and assessment precisions. 

These recommendations are provided for country implementation of environment PDNA methodology and improvement of PDNA Guidelines Volume B (Environment) and to increase understanding of the relevance of the PDNA methodology to assess ecosystems loss and damage in slow-onset events to inform ongoing discussions on L&D.