The European Federation of Geologists (EFG) has published a position paper calling for a dedicated European Landslide Directive, drawing lessons from the large-scale landslide that affected Niscemi (Italy) in January 2026.
The Niscemi event, which resulted in infrastructure damage and the evacuation of more than 1,500 residents, reflects a wider trend of increasing hydro-geological hazards across Europe. Landslides, debris flows, and slope failures are becoming more frequent and severe, often triggered by extreme rainfall and intensified by climate change. Yet landslide risk management remains fragmented, with monitoring, mapping, and response largely handled at the national or regional level and with limited cross-border coordination.
Landslides are not unpredictable events but geological processes that can be anticipated and managed through robust geoscientific approaches. The Niscemi case illustrates how insufficient high-resolution geological mapping, limited subsurface characterisation, and the absence of integrated monitoring and early warning systems can delay the detection of slope instability, even in areas with known historical risk.
The findings underline the central role of geoscience in effective risk governance. Detailed geological and geotechnical investigations, integrated monitoring systems, and clear, human-centred risk communication are essential to support land-use planning, infrastructure design, and emergency response. The systematic involvement of qualified professional geologists is critical to ensure technical quality, public safety, and resilience.
While several EU policies indirectly address aspects of slope stability and disaster risk reduction, EFG notes the absence of a legally binding EU instrument specifically focused on landslides. A dedicated Landslide Directive would complement existing frameworks by harmonising standards for risk assessment, monitoring, early warning, and data sharing, while strengthening Europe’s climate adaptation and disaster preparedness.
Read the full position paper for a detailed analysis and policy recommendations: https://eurogeologists.eu/go/2026-efg-niscemi-position-paper
