EQS Group-News: Swiss Re Ltd / Key word(s): Research Update 
World economy set to lose up to 18% GDP from climate change if no action taken, reveals Swiss Re Institute's 
stress-test analysis 
2021-04-22 / 10:06 
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  . New Climate Economics Index stress-tests how climate change will impact 48 countries, representing 90% of world 
    economy, and ranks their overall climate resilience 
  . Expected global GDP impact by 2050 under different scenarios compared to a world without climate change: 
    -18% if no mitigating actions are taken (3.2°C increase); 
    -14% if some mitigating actions are taken (2.6°C increase); 
    -11% if further mitigating actions are taken (2°C increase); 
    -4% if Paris Agreement targets are met (below 2°C increase) 
  . Economies in Asia would be hardest hit, with China at risk of losing nearly 24% of its GDP in a severe scenario, 
    while the world's biggest economy, the US, stands to lose close to 10%, and Europe almost 11% 
Zurich, 22 April 2021 - Climate change poses the biggest long-term threat to the global economy. If no mitigating 
action is taken, global temperatures could rise by more than 3°C and the world economy could shrink by 18% in the next 
30 years. But the impact can be lessened if decisive action is taken to meet the targets set in the Paris Agreement, 
Swiss Re Institute's new Climate Economics Index shows. This will require more than what is pledged today; public and 
private sectors will play a crucial role in accelerating the transition to net zero. 
Swiss Re Institute has conducted a stress test to examine how 48 economies would be impacted by the ongoing effects of 
climate change under four different temperature increase scenarios. As global warming makes the impact of 
weather-related natural disasters more severe, it can lead to substantial income and productivity losses over time. For 
example, rising sea levels result in loss of land that could have otherwise been used productively and heat stress can 
lead to crop failures. Emerging economies in equatorial regions would be most affected by rising temperatures. 
Major economies could lose roughly 10% of GDP in 30 years 
In a severe scenario of a 3.2°C temperature increase, China stands to lose almost one quarter of its GDP (24%) by 
mid-century. The US, Canada and the UK would all see around a 10% loss. Europe would suffer slightly more (11%), while 
economies such as Finland or Switzerland are less exposed (6%) than, for example, France or Greece (13%). 
Thierry Léger, Group Chief Underwriting Officer and Chairman of Swiss Re Institute, said: 'Climate risk affects every 
society, every company and every individual. By 2050, the world population will grow to almost 10 billion people, 
especially in regions most impacted by climate change. So, we must act now to mitigate the risks and to reach net-zero 
targets. Equally, as our recent biodiversity index shows, nature and ecosystem services provide huge economic benefits 
but are under intense threat. That's why climate change and biodiversity loss are twin challenges that we need to 
tackle as a global community to maintain a healthy economy and a sustainable future.' 
Climate Economics Index ranks countries' resilience to climate change 
Along with evaluating each country's expected economic impact from climate risks, Swiss Re Institute also ranked each 
country on its vulnerability to extreme dry and wet weather conditions. In addition, it looked at the country's 
capacity to cope with the effects of climate change. Put together, these findings generate a ranking of countries' 
resilience to the impacts of climate change. 
The ranking displays a similar view to the GDP impact analysis: Countries most negatively impacted are often the ones 
with fewest resources to adapt to and mitigate the effects of rising global temperatures. The most vulnerable countries 
in this context are Malaysia, Thailand, India, the Philippines and Indonesia. Advanced economies in the northern 
hemisphere are the least vulnerable, including the US, Canada, Switzerland and Germany. 
Public and private sectors play a crucial role in accelerating climate action 
Given the consequences highlighted in Swiss Re Institute's analysis, the need for action is indisputable. Coordinated 
measures by the world's largest carbon emitters are crucial to meet climate targets. The public and private sectors can 
facilitate and accelerate the transition, particularly regarding sustainable infrastructure investments that are vital 
to remain below a 2°C temperature increase. Given the long-term horizon of their liabilities and long-term capital to 
commit, institutional investors such as pension funds or insurance companies are also ideally positioned to play a 
strong role. 
Jérôme Haegeli, Swiss Re's Group Chief Economist, said: 'Climate change is a systemic risk and can only be addressed 
globally. So far, too little is being done. Transparency and disclosure of embedded net-zero efforts by governments and 
the private sector alike are crucial. Only if public and private sectors pull together will the transition to a 
low-carbon economy be possible. Global cooperation to facilitate financial flows to vulnerable economies is essential. 
We have an opportunity to correct the course now and construct a world that will be greener, more sustainable and more 
resilient. 
Our analysis shows the benefit of investing in a net-zero economy. For example, adding just 10% to the USD 6.3 trillion 
of annual global infrastructure investments would limit the average temperature increase to below 2°C. This is just a 
fraction of the loss in global GDP that we face if we don't take appropriate action.' 
Mitigating climate change requires a whole menu of measures. More carbon- pricing policies combined with incentives for 
nature-based and carbon-offsetting solutions are needed, as well as international convergence on taxonomy for green and 
sustainable investments. As part of financial reporting, institutions should regularly disclose how they plan to 
achieve the Paris Agreement and net-zero emission targets. Re/insurers also play a role in providing risk transfer 
capacity, risk knowledge and long-term investment, using their understanding of risk to help households, companies and 
societies mitigate and adapt to climate change. 
 
Notes to editors 
Methodology of the report 
The Swiss Re Institute scenario analysis uses insights gained from an existing model by Moody's Analytics, quantifying 
the gradual impacts of climate change over time, and from research by the World Bank, identifying so-called "impact 
channels", such as the effect of rising temperatures on productivity. Swiss Re Institute's analysis incorporates the 
uncertainties related to the potential economic impacts of climate change under different scenarios of global 
temperature increase and at different levels of severity. These uncertainties include additional and typically omitted 
impact channels, such as potential disruptions to supply chains and trade due to climate change, as well as respective 
economic sensitivities. A detailed description of the methodology can be found in the report. 
Download the electronic version of Swiss Re Institute's report 
"The economics of climate change: no action not an option" (English version): 
https://www.swissre.com/institute/research/topics-and-risk-dialogues/climate-and-natural-catastrophe-risk/ 
expertise-publication-economics-of-climate-change.html 
Link to interactive tool 
Full details and in-depth analyses from Swiss Re's Climate Economics Index are available in an interactive tool on 
swissre.com 
Background on Swiss Re Institute's Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (BES) study: 
A fifth of countries worldwide at risk from ecosystem collapse as biodiversity declines, reveals pioneering Swiss Re 
index | Swiss Re 
Swiss Re 
The Swiss Re Group is one of the world's leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based 
risk transfer, working to make the world more resilient. It anticipates and manages risk - from natural catastrophes to 
climate change, from ageing populations to cyber crime. The aim of the Swiss Re Group is to enable society to thrive 
and progress, creating new opportunities and solutions for its clients. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it 
was founded in 1863, the Swiss Re Group operates through a network of around 80 offices globally. 
For further information please contact Swiss Re Media Relations: + 41 (0)43 285 7171 or Media_Relations@Swissre.com. 
Please use this link to access the Swiss Re website. 
Cautionary note on forward-looking statements 
Certain statements and illustrations contained herein are forward-looking. These statements (including as to plans, 
objectives, targets, and trends) and illustrations provide current expectations of future events based on certain 
assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to a historical fact or current fact. Further 
information on forward looking statements can be found in the Legal Notice section of Swiss Re's website. 
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