The European Union must resist China’s pull in clean technologies, even as it confronts the reality that deteriorating relations with the US may be “permanent,” according to the bloc’s climate chief https://t.co/KZA8ziGivT ...

Core Insights - Climate change is leading to an increase in home insurance premiums for Americans, with significant implications for household budgets by 2026 [1][3][4] Group 1: Impact of Climate Change on Insurance - The frequency of catastrophic weather events has risen, with the U.S. experiencing 27 billion-dollar disasters in 2024, resulting in total damages of $183 billion [1] - Insured losses in the U.S. reached $112.7 billion in 2024, marking a 36% increase year-over-year [3] - Insurers are reducing coverage and exiting high-risk markets, making property insurance less affordable and available for many Americans [4] Group 2: Homeowner Insurance Coverage - A 2024 analysis indicated that 7.4% of American homeowners were uninsured, representing approximately $1.6 trillion in unprotected market value [5] - Homeowners face significant financial risks by forgoing insurance, as property damage could lead to substantial losses [5] Group 3: Premium Determination Factors - Insurance premiums are rising due to increased risk levels, with insurers using "frequency-severity modeling" to predict future risks [6] - If climate risk escalates faster than general inflation, insurance premiums will increase more rapidly than other costs [7] - The rising climate concerns are forcing Americans to allocate more of their budgets to insurance premiums, regardless of claims made [7]

Core Insights - Natural catastrophes caused over US$100 billion in insured losses in 2025, marking the sixth consecutive year above this threshold, but a decrease of $40 billion compared to 2024, indicating persistent natural catastrophe risk despite no hurricanes making landfall in the US [1][2] Industry Trends - The Natural Catastrophe Review by Willis highlights the need for insurers to adopt sound strategies to manage high catastrophe risk, emphasizing investment in resilience and mitigation rather than avoiding risk [2] - Insured losses from natural catastrophes in 2025 were over $100 billion globally, indicating a higher risk floor for catastrophic perils [2] - The report discusses structural pressures and systemic vulnerabilities that exacerbated the impact of natural catastrophes in 2025, advising insurers to update their risk perspectives [2] Risk Modelling and Case Studies - Wildfire is identified as a core contributor to insurance portfolio volatility, necessitating adjustments in wildfire models to reflect current conditions and realistic replacement costs [3] - Risk modelling must account for compound perils, as cumulative damage from multiple perils can lead to delayed claims and disputes [3] - The warming North Atlantic is altering hurricane behavior, with implications for the Caribbean and the potential for more intense storms later in the season [3] - Flood risks are expanding beyond traditionally defined zones, with extreme rainfall leading to severe flooding in areas not typically considered high risk [3]

What's your single biggest concern when it comes to the impact of climate change on the chocolate industry. >> There's not going to be kaka. I mean, talk to farmers here.It's scary because when I came first to Ecuador 4 years ago, I could see how the seasons and how the climate is. I could see it in my own eyes. I can see that the rainy season is not coming.Uh I could see that suddenly cacao from if cacao season was almost ending at end of December, January, suddenly there is cacao until whatever end of Jan ...

-In the foothills outside the port city of Guayaquil, the economic capital of Ecuador, just 150 miles south of the equator, the landscape is dominated by the leafy green cacao plant. This is a ripe cacao fruit, right. -Yes, this is a ripe cacao fruit.[Thuds] -That's. wow. And these are.The beans are inside, right. -Yes, those are the beans, and around them it's the pulp. -This is a golden age of cocoa production in Ecuador, with output expected to reach 800,000 tons by 2030, more than double 2023 levels.The ...

[applause] I grew up on a lobster warf on the coast of Maine. Some of my earliest memories are of my brother and I paddling around the harbor in our grandfather's rowboat, getting stuck in mud flats while searching for horseshoe crabs, and tracking the summertime mackerel migration with our fishing poles. Now, I'm a fourth generation member of a lobster fishing family.But somehow I did not inherit sea legs and I definitely do not share my family's tolerance for the smell of bait. While my older brother eage ...

Who are you. It sounds like such a simple question, doesn't it. So, let me ask it again.Who are you. And when you think about who you are, where does your mind go first. Do you think about your name, your job, where your parents come from.Or maybe your mind goes somewhere deeper to a memory perhaps, endless summers at the beach, the street you grew up on, the taste of your grandmother's cooking. Maybe it's the smell of the earth after rain. We don't often think about these things as being part of our identi ...

Group 1: Leadership Changes - Ascot Group appointed Ashleigh Edwards as group head of Ceded Reinsurance, overseeing global ceded reinsurance strategy [3][4] - AIG announced that CEO Peter Zaffino will transition to executive chair by mid-2026, with Eric Andersen named as president and CEO-elect effective February 16, 2026 [8][10] - CFC appointed Christyn Yoast as global head of commercial, expected to start in January 2026 [25][26] - Lloyd's appointed Jim Bichard as chief financial officer, effective in April [28][30] Group 2: Acquisitions and Partnerships - Xceedance acquired Marble Box, marking its entry into the agent and broker ecosystem [5][6] - KatRisk acquired UK-based Symfos, integrating climate and catastrophe risk modeling capabilities with underwriting tools [22][23] - Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance partnered with Agero for roadside assistance services, enhancing member support [46][47] Group 3: Technology and Innovation - InnSure launched Creation Labs, a climate innovations incubator platform to develop climate risk management products [11][12] - Cytora partnered with Climatig to embed climate risk assessments into underwriting workflows, enhancing risk evaluation [16][17] - WTW launched the Radar Connector for Databricks, streamlining data integration for insurance analytics [19][20] - Augusta Mutual adopted ZestyAI's AI-powered risk analytics to improve underwriting accuracy [36][37] - BirdsEyeView secured a seven-figure investment to expand climate hazard modeling capabilities [38][39]

Core Insights - Petrobras (PBR) and Shell plc (SHEL) have launched the Carbon Countdown initiative to measure carbon stored in Brazil's soils and forests, marking a significant step in Brazil's commitment to sustainable practices and climate transparency [1][3][14] Investment and Collaboration - The Carbon Countdown project involves a combined investment of over $18.6 million (R$100 million), equally funded by PBR and SHEL, aiming to create Brazil's first comprehensive and standardized database of terrestrial carbon stocks [3][4] - This collaboration highlights the urgent need for enhanced scientific data and improved carbon accounting mechanisms in addressing climate change [2] Data Collection and Methodology - The project will include extensive fieldwork with approximately 6,500 sampling sites and over 250,000 soil analyses, providing precise measurements for the national carbon database [7][9] - In addition to soil analysis, the assessment of 1,000 forest plots will estimate carbon stored in vegetation, ensuring a holistic view of carbon sequestration across various ecosystems [8][9] Impact on Climate Policy - The initiative aims to provide Brazil with country-specific data on carbon sequestration, filling a significant gap in its climate accounting system and enhancing the accuracy of emissions inventories and land-use policies [4][5] - By establishing a robust national baseline, the project seeks to strengthen Brazil's participation in international climate negotiations [5][6] Transparency and Scientific Integrity - The project will be conducted under the scientific guidance of the Center for Carbon Studies in Tropical Agriculture at the University of São Paulo, ensuring rigorous academic standards and transparency in data publication [10][11] - The findings will be made publicly available, aiming to prevent misuse and ensure that the data serves legitimate climate policy improvements [10][11] Future of Brazil's Carbon Market - If successful, the Carbon Countdown project could reform Brazil's approach to measuring, valuing, and trading carbon, providing tools for effective climate strategies at both national and international levels [12][13] - The initiative is expected to benefit agricultural producers by offering a more accurate representation of carbon sequestration, which has been historically underreported [13] Conclusion - The Carbon Countdown initiative represents a pivotal opportunity for Brazil to enhance its carbon measurement capabilities and credibility in global climate negotiations, influencing climate policy and carbon market development [14]

Core Insights - Ontex Group NV has received an 'A' rating from CDP for the second consecutive year, recognizing its leadership in corporate transparency and climate change performance [1][3] Group 1: Climate Performance - In the 2025 CDP Climate Change assessment, Ontex achieved strong scores in governance, business strategy, and value chain engagement [2] - The assessment outlines Ontex's priorities for enhancing climate initiatives, including improving energy efficiency, increasing renewable energy use, and integrating climate considerations into financial decisions [2] Group 2: Actions and Governance - Ontex has taken concrete actions to strengthen its climate performance, reflecting robust climate governance and the integration of climate-related risks into strategic decision-making [3] - The company emphasizes the importance of transparency and collaboration in driving change across its value chain [3][8] Group 3: Company Overview - Ontex is a leading developer and producer of personal care products, including baby care, feminine care, and adult care, with operations primarily in Europe and North America [8][9] - The company employs around 5,100 people and operates in 11 countries, distributing products in approximately 100 countries [9]