As extreme weather events intensify across Europe, insurance loss data can help regions adapt more effectively by revealing damage patterns caused by floods, storms, and other climate risks. However, much of this valuable information remains locked away within insurance companies.

By sharing this data more openly, municipalities and policymakers can build climate resilience as they gain insights to guide decision-makers about infrastructure, planning, and risk management.

In our first podcast episode, we had a conversation with Mia Ebeltoft who shared her journey leading the climate resilience dialogue and projects between the insurance sector and the public sector leading to the first in Europe national data platform which gather granular insurance loss data and public disaster risk data.

With over 25 years of working to integrate climate risk into the insurance sector, she was uniquely positioned to bring these two sectors together. She faced resistance from insurance companies initially, who were reluctant to share sensitive data. But Ebeltoft helped launch a pilot project that proved the benefits of data-sharing, laying the foundation for broader partnerships between insurers and municipalities.

Research from the European Environment Agency (EEA) supports the use of empirical data to guide climate adaptation, stating that data-driven strategies can improve a region’s ability to mitigate climate hazards. Studies published by the European Commission emphasise that multi-sector cooperation is vital for effective climate adaptation. Data-sharing also enables regions to identify climate risks and vulnerabilities in their infrastructure and prioritise investment in areas that need it most.

The initiative not only underscores the value of collaboration but also highlights the power of using empirical data to inform climate resilience strategies. With the right partnerships and a commitment to transparency, Europe can be better prepared for the climate challenges ahead.

You can listen to Mia’s interview here.