Insurance Council Welcomes Report on Sea Level Rise

media release

27 November 2014

Insurance Council Welcomes Climate Change Report on Sea Level Rise

The Insurance Council of New Zealand welcomes the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report on climate change and rising sea levels released today.

“The report adds to the overwhelming evidence that the sea-level will continue rising and lead to increased flooding, damage and social disruption. It’s sobering that most New Zealanders alive today will see sea-level rise by at least 30cm regardless of what action is taken globally on greenhouse gas emissions,” says Insurance Council Chief Executive Tim Grafton.

“With this certainty in mind, there needs to be a collective long-term view of how to reduce the impact and that means starting to plan and invest now and progressively over the years. Everyone has a part to play – central and local government, business, communities and individuals,” he says.

“The next report the Environment Commissioner will be releasing in 2015 will pin-point which towns and cities will be affected. This will help inform the value of assets at risk and should provide another compelling reason to invest now to save the much greater costs after disaster strikes.”

Earlier this month ICNZ released a position paper Protecting New Zealand from Natural Hazards which set out a 15-point plan to encourage a much stronger focus on risk reduction not just from sea-level rise.

ENDS

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