Energy News
ENERGY NEWS
Climate perils costing US 0.4% of its GDP: Swiss Re
Climate perils costing US 0.4% of its GDP: Swiss Re
by AFP Staff Writers
Zurich (AFP) Feb 28, 2024

Climate perils are already causing the United States annual economic losses of $97 billion, or 0.4 percent of its annual economic output, according to a study published Wednesday by the reinsurance giant Swiss Re.

The Zurich-based group, which acts as an insurer for insurers, reaffirmed that climate change could reduce global economic output by seven to 10 percent by 2050.

For now, the Philippines is the country suffering the highest annual economic losses from the impact of four major weather perils studied -- floods, tropical cyclones, winter storms and severe thunderstorms -- at three percent of gross domestic product.

"Climate change is leading to more severe weather events, resulting in increasing impact on economies," said the Swiss Re group's chief economist Jerome Jean Haegeli.

"Therefore, it becomes even more crucial to take adaptation measures."

To understand how insurers can assess risks, the study, based on 2022 data, took stock of the impact of the most frequent natural disasters on the gross domestic product (GDP) of 36 sample countries.

Swiss Re economists took into account the four most frequent and most expensive weather disasters.

By this yardstick, the Philippines is the hardest-hit country, followed by the United States, then Thailand with annual economic losses of 0.36 percent of GDP, Austria (0.25 percent) and China (0.22 percent).

India was seventh on 0.20 percent, with Australia eighth on 0.19 percent and Japan 10th on 0.18 percent.

The assessment provides a broad view of the economic implications if weather perils continue to intensify.

It does not take into account all weather risks, such as heatwaves, with Swiss Re saying it was "difficult to predict" the full impact of climate change.

Globally, the four risks studied represent around $200 billion in economic losses each year.

Swiss Re economists said that while reducing greenhouse gas emissions was essential, it was also imperative to take measures to help stem economic losses.

Such measures could include reviewing building regulations, creating flood defence systems and discouraging building development in areas heavily exposed to climate change.

Related Links

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ENERGY NEWS
World needs 'trillions' for climate action: COP28 president
Paris (AFP) Feb 27, 2024
The world needs "trillions" of dollars to spur on the green transition and tackle global warming, the head of last year's COP28 climate talks said Tuesday, warning that political momentum can evaporate without clear action. COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber hailed progress made at UN negotiations last year in Dubai, where countries agreed to triple global renewables capacity this decade and "transition away" from polluting fossil fuels. But the deal lacked important details, including on funding ... read more

ENERGY NEWS
Sounding warning, Kerry urges new ways on climate finance

Climate perils costing US 0.4% of its GDP: Swiss Re

Sri Lanka awards energy deal to India after rejecting China

World needs 'trillions' for climate action: COP28 president

ENERGY NEWS
Power when the sun doesn't shine

UK 'net zero' economy bucks recession: study

Rwanda signs lithium deal with Rio Tinto

Innovative use of femtosecond lasers converts glass into semiconductor

ENERGY NEWS
Wind-powered Dutch ship sets sail for greener future

Leaf-shaped generators create electricity from the wind and rain

European offshore wind enjoys record year in 2023

Danish firm to build huge wind farm off UK

ENERGY NEWS
Crown Ethers Enhance Perovskite Solar Cells, Preventing Lead Leakage

Guiding future research on 'extraordinary potential' of next-generation solar cells

Study unlocks nanoscale secrets for designing next-generation solar cells

Paderborn University's Hawk-Powered Breakthrough Aims to Boost Solar Cell Efficiency

ENERGY NEWS
Framatome partners with TerraPower for Natrium reactor fuel handling equipment design

Ukraine to build 4 nuclear reactors as war hits power supply

GE Hitachi receives UK government grant for nuclear energy development

Putin gives go-ahead to new nuclear icebreaker

ENERGY NEWS
Greenhouse gas repurposed in University of Auckland experiments

Inexpensive, carbon-neutral biofuels are finally possible

Watching the enzymes that convert plant fiber into simple sugars

Microbial division of labor produces higher biofuel yields

ENERGY NEWS
Oil spills pile on pressure for Iraq's farmers

British navy ship repels Huthi rebel attack: minister

Climate crisis prompts Biden to halt new gas export facilities

UK to quit 'outdated' fossil fuel friendly treaty

ENERGY NEWS
Activists may escape prosecution over Mona Lisa soup attack

China may miss all key climate targets for 2025: report

Winter drought grips southern Europe, northern Africa

Lack of rain leaves Italy gasping

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.