Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance to address the growing climate crisis
Building on a decade of flood resilience experience, the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance is evolving into the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance. This strategic shift reflects the urgent need for adaptation efforts that address the escalating impact of climate change.
The urgency of climate adaptation has never been more apparent. Rising global temperatures are causing devastating consequences, disproportionately affecting those without adequate resources to adapt and build resilience. Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) and its corporate foundation, the Z Zurich Foundation, have announced the creation of the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance (the Alliance), which aims to assess current levels of resilience within vulnerable communities and implement appropriate solutions to climate hazards. It evolves from the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance launched in 2013.
The Alliance unites a diverse group of humanitarian organizations, NGOs, research partners and the private sector. It comprises the same nine members as previously – Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, Concern Worldwide, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mercy Corps, Plan International, Practical Action, the International Institute for Applied Systems and Analysis (IIASA), the London School of Economics (LSE)and the Institute for Social and Environmental Transition International (ISET).
Gregory Renand, Head of the Z Zurich Foundation, said: "Since 2018, the Alliance’s initiatives have positively impacted the lives of over 3 million climate-vulnerable people across more than 350 communities worldwide, from the Philippines to Zimbabwe to Mexico and points in between. The advocacy work of the Alliance influenced an increase in resilience spending of more than 1.25 billion USD. Now, we are expanding our focus beyond floods to tackle additional climate hazards such as heatwaves, wildfires, and storms. This broadened scope reaffirms our unwavering commitment to creating a more resilient future for vulnerable communities around the globe."
The year 2023 was the hottest year on record, with a significant rise in the frequency and intensity of storms, flash floods and other climate-related hazards. Despite these growing threats, the potential for climate adaptation to mitigate impacts on vulnerable communities remains largely unrealized. Insufficient investment in preparedness, risk reduction and recovery has resulted in increased loss and damage following each disaster.
Long-term, sustainable resilience to climate hazards, such as floods, storms, heatwaves and wildfires, can only be achieved through genuine collaboration with affected communities. The Alliance is committed to working together with communities to assess current resilience levels and introduce the most appropriate solutions to climate hazards. Each Alliance program is uniquely designed to address the needs of the community it serves.
Linda Freiner, Chief Sustainability Officer, Zurich Insurance Group, said: "I am delighted to see this evolution. Over the past decade, Alliance members have made significant strides in addressing the climate crisis, showcasing the power of collaboration and innovation. However, our work is far from over. The urgency of the climate crisis requires that we accelerate our collective efforts, leveraging the lessons learned and the collaborations forged to drive even greater impact. The next decade is crucial, and I am confident that together, we can achieve the ambitious goals necessary to secure a sustainable future for generations to come."
The Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance is committed to addressing systemic barriers that hinder resilience-building efforts. It aims to deliver large-scale impact and unlock new pathways to transformative change. The launch of the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance marks a significant step in the journey to address the climate change crisis. By broadening its focus and strengthening its work on community collaboration and systemic change, the Alliance aims to create a world where vulnerable communities are not just resilient but thriving in the face of climate hazards.
Pavel Osipyants
Media Relations Director, Zurich Insurance Group
pavel.osipyants@zurich.com
Manon Parmentier
Head of Crisis Response, Advocacy and Communications, Z Zurich Foundation
manon.parmentier@zurich.com
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About the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance
The Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance is a collaboration between humanitarian, NGO, research and private sector partners, aiming to build resilience to climate hazards in rural and urban contexts.
Formerly the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, we have over a decade of experience in generating evidence of communities’ current levels of climate resilience and identifying appropriate solutions.
Through long-term community programs, new research and stakeholder influencing, we strive to enable systemic change at scale and aim to realize our vision of a world in which communities are more resilient to climate hazards, and able to thrive.
Members of the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance are funded by the Z Zurich Foundation, with the exception of Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.
Find out more: https://zcralliance.org/
About Z Zurich Foundation
The Z Zurich Foundation is a Swiss-based charitable foundation established by members of the Zurich Insurance Group. It is the main vehicle by which Zurich Insurance Group delivers on its global community investment strategy. The Z Zurich Foundation works alongside Zurich Insurance Group employees and other stakeholders as well as with governments and NGOs in pursuit of a future where people can thrive in the face of increasing climate hazards and catastrophes, where those of us feeling the stresses of life are empowered to speak up, and where the marginalized in our society can reach their full potential.
Navigate this website to learn more about our work and follow us on social media. You can find our various accounts here.
About Zurich Insurance Group
Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. Founded 150 years ago, Zurich is transforming insurance. In addition to providing insurance protection, Zurich is increasingly offering prevention services such as those that promote wellbeing and enhance climate resilience. Reflecting its purpose to ‘create a brighter future together,’ Zurich aspires to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. It is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 and has the highest-possible ESG rating from MSCI. In 2020, Zurich launched the Zurich Forest project to support reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil. The Group has about 60,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at www.zurich.com.