4 in 5 believe their cities lack readiness for climate risks

58% of respondents said companies are not doing enough.

Four in five respondents believe their city is underprepared for climate-related risks, according to a joint report by Zurich and Economist Impact.

The survey, which polled 5,000 residents from major cities, including Amsterdam, Cairo, Cape Town, Dubai, Jakarta, Madrid, Mumbai, New York City, São Paulo, and Tokyo, found that concerns include water management, with 41% saying their city’s water management infrastructure is at risk, as well as heatwaves, air pollution, and flooding.

Whilst 28% believe businesses should lead on climate adaptation, 58% said companies are not doing enough. Moreover, respondents expect national and local governments to lead climate adaptation efforts.

Nearly a third feel personally responsible for climate adaptation, with 95% planning steps to increase resilience. However, high costs, insufficient knowledge and lack of trust in government policies are significant barriers.

The report emphasises that cities building climate resilience will require investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, integration of mitigation and adaptation measures, and collaboration across government levels and departments.

Furthermore, leveraging the innovation, investment and expertise of private companies can enable governments to drive the development of scalable climate solutions across various urban settings.