
Cat risk: why forecasting climate change is a disaster
Forecasters are poles apart on climate-driven catastrophes; insurers fear there’s worse ahead

The year is 1987. The worst storm in centuries is about to sideswipe the UK with hurricane-strength winds. Notoriously – folklorically – BBC meteorologist Michael Fish addresses a viewer’s concerns: “Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way. Well, if you’re watching: don’t worry, there isn’t.”
The storm cost the insurance industry an estimated £2 billion ($2.5 billion). Although Fish claimed his comment was taken out of context
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@risk.net
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@risk.net
More on Risk management
EU banks want the cloud closer to home amid tariff wars
Fears over US executive orders prompt new approaches to critical third-party risk management
Op risk data: BofA biffed for $540m over insurance fund swerve
Also: Suspected French Ponzi, Banco Itaú’s overcharging kerfuffle, and power outage in Iberia. Data by ORX News
Emir 3.0 could complicate Eurex cross-margining for repo
Clearing house targets November 2025 to launch repo on Prisma, but new EU rules are imminent
Vendor oversight splinters across FMIs
Op Risk Benchmarking: firms grapple with “chaos” of third-party rule changes, amid growing recognition of cyber and resilience threats
Evalueserve tames GenAI to boost client’s cyber underwriting
Firm’s insurance client adopts machine learning to interrogate risk posed by hackers
Wait in the Q: US banks hold back on tariff-related provisions
Lack of data on supply chain vulnerabilities creates challenges for early CECL adjustments
Rising systemic risk demands a new risk management paradigm
Reinsurers need insurance-linked securities to share burden of climate-related catastrophic risk
ECB removes need for governing council to approve CCP facility
New “automatic” facility will require safeguards that are “still being implemented”, bank says