Millions in Damage From Natural Hazards in Saxony Sparks Calls for Action
Devastating Natural Disasters Bring Multi-Million-Dollar Destruction to Saxony - Nature Wreaks Havoc, Causing Millions in Financial Losses across Saxony
Saxony took a tough hit last year due to natural disasters, with insurance companies racking up a whopping 166 million euros in damages from property and car claims alone, according to the Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV). This figure is part of the nationwide 5.7 billion euros in total damages caused by natural hazards, with Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg bearing the brunt due to severe flooding.
The Elbe's floods in 2024 put Saxony in eighth place in the federal state comparison.
GDV CEO Jörg Asmussen asserts, "The numbers don't lie: climate change adaptation must be a priority for the new federal government." A single compulsory insurance isn't enough to prevent damages, he says. Instead, a comprehensive natural hazard concept that combines insurance solutions and preventive measures is needed for long-term security against climate change impacts.
This call for a holistic approach is echoed in various national strategies and proposals. For instance, Germany's federal states advocate for increased funding for climate adaptation measures and mandatory natural hazard insurance, with joint financing between the federal and state governments to tackle climate challenges[1]. The government plans to introduce compulsory insurance for residential buildings before the end of the current legislative period[2].
Another crucial aspect is preventive measures, which are seen as essential for long-term security against climate impacts[2]. Proposed concepts include state-supported premium caps and a risk pool to make insurance affordable in high-risk areas[3].
The German Climate Adaptation Act (Klimaanpassungsgesetz), enacted in 2024, requires federal and state governments to develop and implement adaptation strategies[3]. While specific details for Saxony are not highlighted, these measures aim to improve resilience against climate-related hazards, like floods and storms, nationwide.
Germany has also experienced significant legal developments concerning climate change, such as the Lliuya v. RWE case, demonstrating growing legal and public awareness of climate responsibility[4]. However, these legal actions do not directly contribute to a specific comprehensive natural hazard concept for Saxony or Germany as a whole. The need for a comprehensive, integrative approach remains clear.
- In light of the damaging effects from natural disasters in Saxony and the nationwide costs accrued, it is crucial that the new federal government prioritizes environmental-science policies and climate-change adaptation, as advocated by the GDV.
- A holistic approach, combining vocational training programs in environmental-science and climate-change policy-and-legislation, could provide long-term solutions for dealing with the impacts of climate change.
- As part of the German Climate Adaptation Act, federal and state governments are required to develop and implement adaptation strategies, including vocational training programs, to improve resilience against climate-related hazards such as floods and storms. However, there is a need for a comprehensive, integrative approach to create a specific, comprehensive natural hazard concept for communities like Saxony.
