The Risks
If nothing is done, the ABI report calculates alarming costs in the next 75 years:
- worldwide costs of storms could increase to €22 billion (£15 billion) per year;
- costs of flooding in Europe could rise by €122 billion (£82 billion);
- insurance capital required to cover storm damage could rise by €64 billion (£43 billion).
Preventative measures
The report is not all gloom and doom however: action now could greatly reduce the costs:
- reduction in carbon emissions could bring down insurance costs by 80%;
- strengthened building codes could prevent storm damage;
- improved coastal and flood defences could save €23 billion (£16 billion).
G8 summit
Climate change is one of the priorities of the forthcoming G8 summit . Both reports call on the summit to take a lead, emphasising the need for strong political will and commitment to tackle the causes of climate change through emissions reduction and renewable energies. Tony Blair, presiding over the G8, sees climate change as "long-term, the single most important issue we face as a global community".
