Policymakers must make sure Paris Climate Change Agreement is adhered to
Insurance Europe has urged policymakers to ensure that the Paris Climate Agreement is fully implemented and adhered to, now that it has come into force.
The Paris Climate Change Agreement, which has been signed by the US, EU, China and India, has set a target to limit global warming to no higher than 2 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Michaela Koller, director general of Insurance Europe, commented: “Europe’s insurers welcome the entering into force of the Paris Climate Change Agreement to limit any global rise in temperature to below two degrees above preindustrial levels. Significant steps must now be taken by policymakers to ensure that the agreement is fully implemented and adhered to.
“It is also essential that appropriate action is taken by public authorities to better protect societies against the effects of climate change that have already begun to manifest themselves.
“This is an area where Europe’s insurers are already heavily involved; for example, through the advice they provide to policymakers on climate change adaption projects, such as the building and maintenance of flood defences and the drafting and enforcement of building codes.
“Many insurers also engage in risk awareness initiatives, and several have developed apps to inform consumers of extreme weather events or whether their properties are under potential risk from such events.”
