Sheana Tambourgi, Director and Head conditions with risk transfer solutions such Lambert said. “Now more than ever, we need
of the Global Risk Network at the World as the weather insurance programme we are to secure a binding EU climate change deal,
Risks and hazards
Economic Forum, says, “Global Risks 2009 running in Malawi with the World Bank.” or the opportunity to make the transition
highlights the need for concerted action to Whole countries and businesses are to a low-carbon economy will slip through
mitigate risks that now more than ever are suffering from an increasing frequency of our fi ngers.” The CBI says the government’s
global in their nature and in their impact, as extreme weather events and an increase target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by
illustrated by the fi nancial crisis.” in sea levels across the world. The Climate 80% by 2050 is still achievable, if we pick
Change Act 2008 aims to include the up the pace and all work together.
»Countries and
business community and other stakeholders In Germany, companies are focusing on
in a broad programme of action, with targets developing technologies to generate and
businesses are
set to enhance the UK’s ability to adapt to use energy more effi ciently, and to reduce
suffering from an
the impact of climate change. The two keys carbon dioxide. “German industry is the
increasing frequency
to the act include the ambition to improve global market leader in climate protection
carbon management and help the transition products,” says Carsten Kreklau, a member
of extreme weather
towards a low carbon economy in the UK, of the general directorate at the country’s
events and rising seas
and to demonstrate strong UK leadership business association, the BDI. “It takes
around the world.
internationally. the challenge of climate protection and its
The act was welcomed by many responsibility very seriously, and is working
organisations, including the Confederation on long-term strategies to help effectively
Published in cooperation with Citigroup, of British Industry (CBI). They have set up limit climate change.”
MMC (Marsh & McLennan Companies), their own climate change task force, which A total of 39 leading industrialists have
Swiss Re, the Wharton School Risk Center includes chairmen and chief executives already teamed up with the BDI to found
and Zurich Financial Services, the report is from some of the country’s largest the Industry for Climate Protection initiative,
based on a qualitative assessment of global companies. Chaired by Ben Verwaayen, led by Klaus Kleinfeld, CEO of Siemens.
risks, workshops and input from business CEO of telecoms fi rm BT, the task force is Kleinfeld wants to see stable conditions for
leaders and experts consulted throughout seeking to set the agenda on how business increased investment in new technologies,
2008. Last year’s report accurately warned tackles climate change with wide-ranging such as in the German car industry, which
of an imminent systemic crisis in the recommendations for action. At the Climate is seeking to reduce fuel consumption and
fi nancial sector as well as volatility in the Change Summit in December last year, CBI increase effi ciency. The initiative is also
energy market and food shortages. Director-General Richard Lambert said the looking into the generation of energy with
global economic crisis was not a reason power plants that conserve the environment
Climate change for inaction on climate change. “We must through low carbon emissions. If all German
The 2009 report warns of the effect of the not let the global economic crisis become power plants were converted to modern
fi nancial crisis, and the infl uence this will an excuse for inaction on climate change,” technology, they would produce 40
have for years to come on countries such
as America, the United Kingdom, France,
Italy, Spain and Australia. In addition to the
immediate economic risks, the report also
cautions against ignoring interconnected
risks related to natural resources. As world
leaders and organisations – including IYPE –
focus on water availability, the report shows
that water is critical to generating energy,
with 50% of the cost associated with water
supply related to energy. It also warns of
potential rising tensions between developed
and developing countries with respect to
climate change policy.
Swiss Re’s Chief Risk Offi cer Raj Singh
says, “The poorest nations will suffer most
from climate change because they lack the
infrastructure and institutional framework
to cope. Unfortunately, these are also the The aviation industry
M
O
C countries that are worst affected by weather-
is beginning to make
F
.
R some noise about
3
2
related disasters. The private sector can

1 climate change.
© help them adapt to changing weather
www.yearofplanetearth.org PLANET EARTH 95
PE21.risks.kj.mw.indd 95 16/2/09 2:50:14 pm
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132