Most cities are unprepared for climate risks: Zurich report

Four in five people believe their city is underprepared for climate-related risks, but insurers have a key role to play. That is according to new research by Zurich Insurance Group and Economist Impact addressing climate change in urban environments worldwide and providing actionable insights for building resilient cities.

The report, released on October 21 and titled “Resilience from the ground up: assessing city-level approaches to climate risk and adaptation”, examines urban climate resilience and provides actionable insights for building resilient cities worldwide.

The report emphasises the urgent need for cities to address climate-related risks, as 80 percent of respondents believe their city is underprepared. It highlights major concerns about heatwaves, air pollution, water shortages, and flooding.

The research underscores the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable populations and the central role of government leadership in adaptation efforts.

In urban environments, the rapidly increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events pose significant risks to environments, economies, and public health. This report comes at a crucial time, as cities face mounting pressure to implement creative solutions for climate adaptation and resilience.

With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, cities face significant risks to their environments, economies and public health. But they also hold the potential to implement creative solutions for climate adaptation and resilience.

Dirk De Nil, global head of Zurich Resilience Solutions, said: “Cities are on the front line of the climate crisis, but they have the power to lead the charge in building community resilience. To effectively navigate their climate-related challenges, cities must take decisive and collaborative action.

“Insurers, with their natural hazard expertise and capabilities, can play a major role in supporting urban areas, businesses and communities in developing robust strategies to enhance their resilience and secure a sustainable future.”

A broad-based survey

The report is based on a literature review, a general population survey and interviews with 15 climate experts from organisations such as the World Economic Forum, the International Labour Organization and the UN-Habitat. The survey gathered insights from 5,000 residents in Amsterdam, Cairo, Cape Town, Dubai, Jakarta, Madrid, Mumbai, New York City, São Paulo and Tokyo.

The key findings of the research include that four in five respondents believe their city is underprepared for climate-related risks, with major concerns about heatwaves, air pollution, water shortages and flooding. Over 41 percent of respondents feel their city’s water management infrastructure is at risk, underscoring the urgency of addressing water-related climate challenges such as water shortages and flooding.

“The involvement of the private sector, including the insurance industry, is deemed essential.”

Some 28 percent of respondents believe businesses should lead on climate adaptation, 58 percent feel companies are not doing enough.

The report emphasises that building climate resilience is essential for cities facing accelerating risks. This requires investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, integration of mitigation and adaptation measures, and collaboration across government levels and departments. It highlights the central role of transparent communication and community engagement to foster confidence and ensure that these processes involved are equitable and inclusive.

The involvement of the private sector, including the insurance industry, is deemed essential. Leveraging the innovation, investment and expertise of private companies can enable governments to help drive the development of scalable climate solutions that are effective across various urban settings.

Proactive, coordinated efforts from all stakeholders—governments, businesses and communities—are essential for building urban climate resilience and preparing cities to thrive amid accelerating climate risks.

For more news from Baden-Baden Today, click here.

Did you get value from this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.