As extreme weather events become more severe and frequent, the failure to meet climate targets will cause economic disruption in both industrialized and developing economies. Environmental shocks are rapidly translating into financial instability. Some insurers are exiting high-risk zones and lenders are scaling back financing for exposed assets. Without insurance, habitability may be jeopardized. Mortgages collapse, properties lose value, and local economies are destabilized – with severe financial burdens for individuals and communities.
This event will assess the consequences of climate-related impacts for global economic structures. We will also analyze how the civilizational achievement of insurance can be effectively used as a risk-sharing mechanism in a changing Earth system.
In particular, the discussion will explore:
- Ways in which climate shocks drive inflation, disrupt supply chains, and strand assets.
- Reasons for the growing disconnect between environmental risks and financial system resilience and how it can be addressed.
- Economic opportunities that arise for governments, investors, and private companies from climate protection.
Welcome Remarks:
Georg Graf Waldersee, Treasurer & Board Member, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
Keynote:
Prof. Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
Panel Discussion:
Prof. Rockström will then join a panel discussion with the following experts:
Günther Thallinger, Member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE
Dr. Kira Vinke, Head of the Center for Climate and Foreign Policy at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
Moderator: Dr. Koko Warner, Director of the Penn International Climate Observatory, Perry World House, at the University of Pennsylvania
The event will be held in English.
Please register here. Upon successful registration, you will receive a confirmation email by December 5, 2025. The Zoom access details can be found in the confirmation email.
Please note that this event will be recorded.
Your personal data will be processed and used by DGAP in accordance with Art. 4 GDPR in compliance with the provisions of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Germany’s Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) and for the purpose of holding the event. You will find information related to data processing at https://dgap.org/en/privacy-policy and https://dgap.org/en/zoom.
If you have any questions, please contact events@dgap.org.