Lloyd's of London logo

Lloyd’s report highlights insurers role in easing geopolitical climate tensions

18 Jan 2022

Lloyd’s, the world’s leading marketplace for commercial, corporate and speciality risk solutions, today released a new report to help insurers and risk managers navigate the significant overlap between geopolitical risks and climate change.

Shifting powers: Climate cooperation, competition or chaos? is the second in Lloyd’s series of ‘Shifting Powers’ reports produced in partnership with the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies, and uses potential but plausible scenarios to identify geopolitical risks associated with climate change. The report suggests ways for insurers to ease tensions between national power blocs by providing risk solutions for regional energy and agricultural projects which can bind the international community together.

Using the theory of ‘Climate diplomacy’ – the strategic cooperation or competition of states towards climate-related goals – the report assesses global political developments in the coming century and changes in risk which could occur from various outcomes of the unprecedented global energy transition process. The report concludes that while it is likely friction between like-minded states could lead to a ‘Green Cold War’, nation states are expected to inevitably unite through a blend of cooperation and competition to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.

The research outlines collaborative initiatives already underway and highlights the key role of insurers as partners that can offer valuable insight in project such as the new and innovative multi-national climate projects such as the Australia-Asia Power Link, which will connect regions together through sustainable energy sources.

Breakthroughs in renewable energy storage and technology will become vital in global business as well as symbols of influential partnerships between nations Insurers can prove their expertise by helping businesses manage their increased political risk exposure by offering new and existing comprehensive coverages against geopolitical and systemic risks.

This research compliments the work Lloyd’s is doing through  its leadership of the Insurance Task Force of HRH The Prince of Wales’s Sustainable Markets Initiative and its commitment to insure the transition through the Net Zero Insurance Alliance.

Through the Lloyd’s Lab, Futureset, and the Product Launchpad, Lloyd’s will continue to bring the industry together to help communities and businesses build resilience against geopolitical risk.

“The insurance industry has an important role to play in insuring the transition to a greener world. Undoubtedly, geopolitical risks and frictions between international communities add a layer of complexity in tackling climate change. We know businesses are looking to global leaders and diplomatic agreements for the pathway forward, but we are also acutely aware that businesses have a responsibility to play a leading role in the transition. We are using Lloyd’s convening power to collaborate with our partners globally and create insurance products that will enable a more sustainable world.”
Bruce Carnegie-Brown, Chairman of Lloyd’s
“Climate change is the greatest emerging risk of our generation. Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies has been privileged to work with Lloyd’s to research the social and geopolitical threats that could result from different pathways. This work is ground-breaking in pushing for creative thinking surrounding broader climate risks to the global system, and how the risk management community and insurance industry can make our society safer as we embark on energy transition.”
Andrew Coburn, Chief Scientist at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Risk Studies

Lloyd’s emerging risk report, “Shifting powers: Climate cooperation, competition or chaos?”, can be accessed below.

View the report

1. is our global platform and community dedicated to driving greater societal and economic resilience to the world’s most challenging risks. By bringing together diverse perspectives, and through cutting-edge risk insight, intelligence, and cross-industry dialogue on the most complex and fast-changing risks faced by communities, businesses and countries, Lloyd’s Futureset aims to build greater societal understanding and collaboration to find solutions and support greater preparedness, protection and resilience.
2. Lloyd’s studio is available for TV and radio broadcasts 
3. More news and information available from lloyds.com 

Enquiries to: 
UK: 
+44 (0) 20 7327 5111 | pressoffice@lloyds.com
+44 (0) 20 7327 5391 | annie.roberts@lloyds.com
Americas: 
+44 (0) 20 7327 6125 | nathan.skinner@lloyds.com 
EMEA: 
+44 (0) 20 7327 5721 | elliot.maule@lloyds.com 
APAC:  
+65 6870 9227 | suganthy.selva@lloyds.com    

About Lloyd’s
Lloyd’s is the world’s leading marketplace for commercial, corporate and specialty risk solutions. Through the collective intelligence and expertise of the market’s underwriters and brokers, we’re sharing risk to create a braver world. 

The Lloyd’s market offers the resources, capability and insight to develop new and innovative products for customers in any industry, on any scale, in more than 200 territories. 

We’re made up of more than 50 leading insurance companies, over 200 registered Lloyd’s brokers and a global network of over 4,000 local coverholders. Behind the Lloyd’s market is the Corporation: an independent organisation and regulator working to maintain the market's successful reputation and operation.

We’re working to build solutions for the most current and prevalent threats. As Chair of the Insurance Task Force for HRH The Prince of Wales’s Sustainable Markets Initiative, Lloyd’s is bringing the industry together to insure the transition to net zero. Our research community is pooling expertise from across the industry to provide cutting edge insight on systemic risks from climate change to cyber security. 

And through our digital-led strategy, The Future at Lloyd’s, we’re making it easier and cheaper to place, price and process cover in the Lloyd’s market.