This study examines disaster preparedness in Greece in the context of escalating climate-related hazards, focusing on the interaction of societal, organisational, and technological factors. Using a mixed-methods approach – policy analysis, expert interviews, and case studies of major 2023 events - findings reveal systemic gaps in prevention funding, risk communication, and community engagement. Institutional frameworks have strengthened, notably through digital alert systems, yet remain reactive rather than preventive. Behavioural barriers, such as low self-efficacy and risk denial, limit public readiness, while volunteer networks remain under-recognised. Drawing on resilience theory and comparative research on societal and organisational transitions, the paper proposes a multi-level strategy combining institutional robustness, behavioural change interventions, and technological innovation. The analysis contributes to the broader discourse on adaptive and transformative resilience, offering transferable lessons for Mediterranean and other climate-vulnerable regions. • Mixed-methods assessment of Greece's preparedness under escalating climate hazards. • Finds gaps in prevention finance, risk communication, and community engagement. • Behavioural barriers (risk denial, low self-efficacy) constrain public readiness. • Volunteer networks add surge capacity yet lack formal recognition and support. • Multi-level strategy for adaptive and transformative resilience in the Mediterranean.
Zinkevičiūtė et al. (Sun,) studied this question.