Mitigating climate risk

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Climate Risk

Climate change poses one of the most pervasive risks to our planet and our prosperity. Its effects are already evident and shaking up our risk landscape: warmer average temperatures, rising sea levels, longer and more frequent heatwaves, heavy storms and rainfall, more floods, wildfires and weather extremes.

Swiss Re identified the threat of climate change as far back as 1979 and has been analysing its effects on society and the insurance industry ever since. As the threat has become more and more apparent, we've worked with our clients, partners and governments to take the actions to reduce the causes of climate risk and insure what cannot be mitigated.

Further Information

What we focus on

We focus on three primary areas of climate change risk that we feel are most important for society and where we can provide solutions to the underlying risks:

Natural catastrophes and the protection gap

Most natural catastrophe losses, including those caused by climate change, are not covered by insurance. This means that millions of households and businesses face a large and widening protection gap. With its re/insurance solutions, Swiss Re protects communities and businesses against the financial fallout from natural catastrophes, helping them recover quickly after a disaster and adapt to climate change.

Transition to a net-zero economy and the role of renewables

Notwithstanding the negative impact on our communities, our health and our natural world, climate change could also become a permanent drag on our economy. Without climate risk management and drastically reducing carbon emissions with a goal of net zero, the global economy will be significantly smaller by mid-century due to income and productivity losses.

Swiss Re offers innovative solutions for the journey to a net – zero economy by minimizing the risks associated with renewable energy and infrastructure projects while helping to drive continued growth and investment in the renewable energy sector. Our risk knowledge and expertise on renewables includes wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal and battery storage as well as grid enhancement projects, making Swiss Re the partner of choice.

Progress through public-private partnerships

The most urgent question we need to address is how best to tackle the source of the climate change problem by drastically reducing carbon emissions and how to avert the most damaging consequences by adapting to impacts that are already unavoidable. No single industry or region can do this alone. Meeting a challenge of such magnitude can only be achieved in partnership between the public and private sectors.

Strengthening Resilience in a Changing World

Risk is evolving—driven by climate change, technological advancements, and economic shifts.

Natural Catastrophes in 2024

Estimated insured losses from natural catastrophes estimated to be above USD 135 billion in 2024.

Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton severely impacted the US, resulting in estimated insured losses approaching USD 50 billion.

Major floods hit Europe and the Middle East, causing estimated insured losses of close to USD 13 billion as of today.

Key figures for natural catastrophes in 2024

Nat Cat 2025

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The protection gap

The protection gap for natural catastrophes poses a serious challenge, as it means a large share of disaster-related losses go uninsured-leaving communities vulnerable and recovery efforts underfunded. Closing this gap is essential to strengthening resilience, protecting livelihoods, and building back better. Our latest infographic breaks down the protection gap across regions and 13 countries, providing a clear visual of where the need for improved insurance coverage is most pressing.

Latest insights

Latest insights Read our latest insights on climate risks

Article Time for a global reckoning on extreme heat risk

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CatNet® - Our proprietary location intelligence tool

Online natural hazard atlas for efficient, accurate underwriting and risk management.

Reinsurance solutions

Corporate solutions

  • FLOAT

    We developed the flood risk assessment tool called "FLOAT", a cost-effective and highly accurate way to assess and manage a location's flood risk.​

  • STORM

    STORM product is unique in the marketplace – we tailor each parametric policy so that closely mirrors the insured's experience during a windstorm.​

  • FLOW

    FLOW is an index-based water-level insurance, customized for companies with revenues and costs exposed to rivers' high or low water levels in Europe.​

  • QUAKE

    QUAKE product is unique in the marketplace – we tailor each policy to closely mirror the insured's likely experience during an earthquake by using USGS.​

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Insights to risk topics and trends within the industry, brought to you by Swiss Re's leading experts