Mitigar

Mitigar is a verb used in Spanish and Portuguese to describe actions that reduce the severity, intensity, or consequences of a problem. It is commonly followed by nouns such as riesgos (risks), daños (damages), impactos (impacts), or efectos (effects). The term derives from the Latin mitigare, meaning to soften or to make milder.

In environmental policy, risk management, and disaster planning, mitigar refers to measures intended to limit harm. Examples include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, implementing adaptation strategies, improving infrastructure against floods or earthquakes, and deploying controls that lower the likelihood or magnitude of a risk.

In legal contexts, mitigar appears in phrases like deber de mitigar daños or mitigación de daños, referring to the obligation to lessen losses after a breach, injury, or fault. The concept is central to civil liability in many jurisdictions, affecting damages calculations and remedies.

In health and public health, mitigar denotes actions to reduce disease spread or severity, such as vaccination, hygiene measures, or prophylaxis, as well as strategies to mitigate adverse drug effects or treatment side effects.

In project management and finance, mitigation strategies aim to reduce risk exposure, potential costs, or operational disruption, often complemented by monitoring and contingency planning.

Related terms include mitigación (the noun) and mitigante (the agent or measure that mitigates).