Protection against natural hazards and climate change

Global warming increases environmental risks. Natural disasters can cause immense damage – not only in faraway countries, but in Switzerland too. The WEF’s Global Risks Report 2025 identifies extreme weather events, the loss of biodiversity and the collapse of ecosystems, critical changes to earth systems and the scarcity of natural resources as the biggest long-term risks to the global economy. The report by the National Centre for Climate Services (NCCS) on climate scenarios in Switzerland lists more hot days, dry summers, heavy rainfall and winters with little snow as the foreseeable consequences of ongoing climate change. It shows that Switzerland is affected more than average by climate change and that there are already measurable effects. A far-reaching and effective climate policy is therefore essential.

Towards a far-reaching climate policy 

With their products, advice and loss prevention, insurers help to tackle the unavoidable consequences of climate change. The SIA supports the Paris Agreement, recognises the risks of global warming and is committed to an ambitious climate policy and effective reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It was with this in mind that the SIA joined the Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance in 2021 as a supporter, thereby setting a clear example of the greenhouse gas neutrality of capital investments by 2050. At the same time, the SIA welcomes the Forum for Insurance Transition to Net Zero (FIT) convened by the United Nations in 2024 to continue a structured dialogue and serve as a multi-stakeholder platform to support the necessary acceleration and expansion of voluntary climate protection measures by the insurance industry and other stakeholders. The SIA also supports the CO₂ Act which was revised in 2024. It creates the necessary conditions to promote climate protection and support the transition away from fossil fuels. 

Es schafft die notwendigen Voraussetzungen, um den Klimaschutz zu fördern und die Transformation weg von den fossilen Energien zu begleiten. 

Regulation must not slow down innovation

A large number of demands for more regulation are currently being made by the insurance industry with the aim of comprehensively introducing climate protection measures into companies and making them measurable. Requirements or regulations will have to be measured by the extent to which they actually lead to a more sustainable economy and whether they allow for the innovation and creativity needed for business and customer needs. That is why the SIA and its members are advocating initiatives at national level to disclose sustainability data and exchange with stakeholders in the real economy.

Natural phenomena with major damage potential

In Switzerland, too, natural disasters always cause considerable damage. The biggest economic consequences are associated with floods, hail and storms. These can cause major economic damage and have far-reaching consequences for society. The rise in insured values and their increasing concentration, as well as climate change and its new weather constellations, are increasing the loss potential. Even in the case of the devastating rockslide in the Lötschental valley that buried the village of Blatten in May 2025, climate change cannot be ruled out as an influencing factor. To counter these natural hazards, comprehensive natural hazard insurance is available in Switzerland: All insurance companies offering fire insurance in Switzerland must also include natural hazard cover in the insurance. Thanks to the established and tried-and-tested structure of natural hazard insurance, whereby insured persons and insurers jointly bear the risk under the natural perils pool membership arrangement, Switzerland will continue to be insurable in the future. 

Solidarity in dealing with natural hazards

By international standards, Switzerland enjoys excellent protection against the consequences of natural hazards. It operates on the principle of solidarity. As the effects of these loss events are likely to increase in the future, many insurers are already investing in prevention, for example through awareness-raising campaigns that show people how to protect themselves. Insurers have a great interest in managing the risks arising from natural hazards as early as possible. To do this, indicators of change have to be analysed and parameters of risk analysis adjusted. Insurers also bring this knowledge to the socio-political debate and promote risk awareness through customer advice, public relations work and the provision of data. 

For example, the SIA, together with the federal government and other partners, has drawn up a hazard map for surface run-off and is currently involved in updating it. This is to be better prepared for the increasing risk of heavy precipitation. This is in addition to a hail map showing the risk of hail events at various locations in Switzerland, based on the latest data and methods, which has been available since 2021. 

This important prevention project also received financial and communication support from the SIA. The reduction of loss amounts in Switzerland should, after all, also work according to the principle of solidarity. Prevention in advance, measures in the event of a disaster and the repair of damage afterwards can only be tackled jointly by all parties involved.