Risk professionals say their organisations are prepared for weather-related natural catastrophes, according to a survey published by Airmic this week.

The risk association’s latest Big Question poll found that 85% of risk professionals felt either ‘very well prepared’ or ‘somewhat prepared’ for weather-related natural catastrophes.

Commenting on the poll results, Julia Graham, CEO of Airmic, said: “Risk professionals and their organisations need to build greater resilience against natural catastrophe events by preparing for the worst while hoping for the best. Besides conducting risk assessments and implementing physical protection solutions, they also need to ensure that their supply chains are adequately protected.”

Hoe-Yeong Loke, head of research at Airmic, added: “Events such as the tragic floods in Spain and the more recent wildfires in Los Angeles…have certainly focused attention on natural catastrophes, but risk professionals and their organisations should be even more attuned to the trajectory of increasing frequency and severity of natural catastrophe events, and prepare for them. Climate change is certainly playing a role here, albeit in more complex ways than simply that the earth is getting warmer.”

This week’s Airmic Big Question also revealed that 42% of risk professionals use flood forecasting systems, including flood warnings from the UK’s Environment Agency, and systems made available through property insurers.

Leigh-Anne Slade, head of Media, Communications and Interest Groups, commented: “Early warning systems are a vital first line of defence and a major part of disaster risk reduction, and Airmic members are using a wide range of such systems including the UK government’s emergency alerts which are a free service. Preparing for longer term climate change-induced patterns of natural catastrophes is also a huge concern for our members, [who] share insights and intelligence in communities such as our climate special interest group.”

According to the World Meteorological Organisation, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures approximately 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.

---