New Zealanders call for bold action on climate risk
New Zealanders call for bold action on climate risk | Insurance Business New Zealand
Catastrophe & Flood
New Zealanders call for bold action on climate risk
Survey highlights role of natural disasters in driving up premiums
Catastrophe & Flood
By
Roxanne Libatique
A recent survey conducted by AMI, State, and NZI has indicated that many New Zealanders are urging for enhanced measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The survey was conducted by Ipsos Ltd in June, sampling 1,005 individuals, with a margin of error of ±3.1%.
According to the poll, 65% of respondents advocate for increased focus and resources to address climate-related hazards.
New Zealanders’ key priorities for addressing climate change
Key priorities identified by the survey participants include:
“This reflects the need for practical steps which will lead to a real reduction in the natural hazard risk faced by some of New Zealand’s most exposed communities, so that we can keep them safe as the impacts of climate change grow,” she said.
Increasing frequency and severity of weather events in New Zealand
The survey also revealed significant public concern regarding the increasing frequency and severity of climate events. Specifically, 68% of respondents expect to be affected by climate hazards, with 90% anticipating more frequent and extreme floods within the next three decades. Additionally, 87% foresee a rise in severe storms.
“The North Island flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023 had a profound effect on our country and our communities, bringing home for many the very real impact of climate change on our lives,” she said. “The number of claims and amount of money paid out only partially reflects the true social and economic cost of these events. We need to do a better job at reducing natural hazard risk, particularly for our most hazard-prone communities.”
New Zealand government’s efforts to combat climate change
Now in its seventh year, the poll also underscored the perceived importance of government action in climate adaptation. It found that 54% of respondents hold the government primarily responsible for taking action on climate change.
However, public satisfaction with the government’s response appears to be declining. For the first time, a greater percentage of respondents rated the government’s actions as “poor” (40%) compared to “good” (27%). Furthermore, less than one-third of those surveyed believe the country is on the right path in addressing climate change, down from 37% the previous year.
The proportion of respondents dissatisfied with the current response increased by 10 percentage points, reaching 36%. Additionally, nearly two in five New Zealanders lack confidence in the country’s ability to lessen the impacts of climate change on homes, businesses, and communities.
Role of natural disasters in driving up insurance premiums in New Zealand
On the topic of insurance, the survey showed that many New Zealanders acknowledge the role of natural disasters in driving up home and contents insurance premiums. Nearly 70% recognise this as a factor, with 34% identifying it as the primary reason for rising costs.
In response, 61% of respondents suggest focusing on reducing climate hazard risks as a means to lower insurance premiums.
When asked about the fairest way for insurers to reflect risk in their pricing, 45% of respondents believe that premiums should correspond to the individual risk levels people face. Meanwhile, 8% think everyone should pay the same amount, regardless of risk, and 40% favour a mixed approach.
Whiting emphasised the importance of a strong insurance industry.
“It’s impossible to remove all risk – we will continue to experience floods, storms, earthquakes, and other disasters, so we need a strong insurance industry to help people pick up the pieces and support a faster and more certain recovery,” she said.
The survey results align with this view, as 85% of respondents agree that a strong insurance industry is essential given New Zealand’s exposure to natural hazards.
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