Building climate resilience is essential for cities as they face accelerating risks from more frequent and severe extreme weather events, according to Zurich Insurance Group and Economist Impact – a sustainability-focused subsidiary of The Economist. This, they said in a report, will require investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, integration of mitigation and adaptation measures, and collaboration across government levels and departments. The involvement of the private sector, including the insurance industry, was described as “essential” – leveraging private companies’ innovation, investment and expertise to help governments develop scalable solutions. “Proactive, coordinated efforts from all stakeholders – governments, businesses and communities – are essential for building urban climate resilience and preparing cities to thrive amidst accelerating risks to their environments, economies and public health,” the report noted, further highlighting the critical role of transparent communication and community engagement in fostering confidence and ensuring equitable and inclusive processes. “Cities are on the frontline of the climate crisis, but they also have the power to lead the charge in building community resilience,” said Dirk De Nil, Global Head of Zurich Resilience Solutions – Zurich Insurance’s risk engineering and sustainability services platform. “Insurers with their natural hazard expertise and capabilities can play a critical role in supporting urban areas, businesses and communities in developing robust strategies to enhance their resilience and secure a sustainable future.” The report was based on a literature review, a survey involving 5,000 residents globally, and interviews with 15 climate experts from the World Economic Forum, the International Labour Organization and UN-Habitat – the UN’s agency for human settlements. Four in five respondents felt their city was underprepared for climate-related risks, with major concerns around heatwaves, air pollution, water shortages and flooding.
