Climate Resiliency Challenge Launches with Up to $1M in Prizes

CSAA Insurance Group, IDEO and Aon sponsor challenge seeking solutions to address climate-related disasters

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer, has launched a global Climate Resiliency Challenge with leading co-sponsors IDEO and Aon. The Challenge, which launches today, seeks solutions to help frontline communities prevent, prepare for and recover from climate-related disasters, such as wildfires, floods, and extreme weather.

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The Climate Resiliency Challenge, sponsored by CSAA Insurance Group, IDEO and Aon, is seeking solutions to help frontline communities prevent, prepare for and recover from climate-related disasters, such as wildfires, floods, and extreme weather. Up to $1 million in prizes will be awarded to the ideas with the most potential. Applications are being accepted through July 10, with winners expected to be announced by Aug. 1. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Up to $1 million in prizes will be awarded to the ideas with the most potential. Applications are being accepted through July 10, with winners expected to be announced by Aug. 1.

Frontline communities are those neighborhoods or populations of people that feel the most immediate and worst impacts from climate change, with fewer resources, capacity or political power to respond to those risks.

Disruptive climate events such as wildfires, floods and extreme weather are often accompanied by pain, loss, significant recovery time, and personal or property damage. In 2022, the United States experienced 18 weather and climate disasters that each cost at least $1 billion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information. Seven U.S. weather and climate disasters with losses exceeding $1 billion each have been confirmed so far this year, with several others potentially reaching that level.

“Given the role insurers play in helping policyholders who experience climate-related losses, we believe it’s vital to be part of a community that is looking for innovative ways to address these critical problems,” said Debbie Brackeen, executive vice president and chief strategy & innovation officer at CSAA Insurance Group.

The Challenge is intended to bring together companies, experts, communities and thought leaders to address problems that can’t be solved by any one person or company – and CSAA invites all partners to join the conversation. IDEO’s open innovation platform allows people from around the world to submit ideas, receive support, and accelerate innovation.

“Frontline communities, both in the United States and around the world, are facing some of the most dangerous, powerful, and traumatic consequences of climate change,” said Bryan Walker, partner at IDEO. “Through Challenges like this one, we can bring together multiple stakeholders and communities to share expertise, build on others’ ideas, and spur groundbreaking solutions that can empower frontline communities.”

The Challenge encourages innovative thinkers to consider the following themes as areas in need of innovation:

• Prevention: How might we shape resilient landscapes and build resilient infrastructures that lessen the impact of climate-disasters on frontline communities?

• Preparedness: How might we improve coordination, communication and education efforts to better prepare frontline communities for climate-related disasters?

• Recovery: How might we reform the delivery of post-disaster management and recovery assistance, and generate more efficient and effective methods for recovery?

“The insurance industry is thinking broadly about the impacts of climate change and climate risk, and through advanced data and analytics, we are well-placed to offer solutions – risk analysis, risk management, and risk mitigation are our strengths,” said Liz Henderson, leader of Climate Risk Advisory at Aon. “The Climate Resiliency Challenge aligns with our focus on mitigating climate risks through innovative collaboration and our partnership network. It is also a recognition of Aon’s wider commitment to promoting resilience, navigating volatility, and reducing risk.”

The Challenge is also supported by contributions from Arch Reinsurance, Incite, RenaissanceRe, Guidewire, and the Environmental Defense Fund.

About CSAA Insurance Group

CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer, offers automobile, homeowners and other personal lines of insurance to AAA Members through AAA clubs in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1914, the company has been rated “A” or better by AM Best for more than 90 years, and is one of the top personal lines property casualty insurance groups in the United States, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The company has been repeatedly named one of the 50 most community-minded companies in America by Points of Light. More information is available at http://csaa-insurance.aaa.com and on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram).

About IDEO

IDEO is a global design firm known for its human-centered, interdisciplinary approach. As early leaders in the practice of design thinking, the company creates positive impact through design by applying creative mindsets and skills, and by teaching others to do the same. IDEO helps clients and customers around the world build the capacity and outcomes required to navigate today’s complexity and lead their markets. Learn more about IDEO here.

In a world of widely distributed knowledge, making progress on our most pressing problems requires a collective effort. IDEO's open innovation platform allows people from around the world to submit ideas, receive support, and accelerate innovation. IDEO’s open challenges have engaged hundreds of thousands of people in over 200 countries and territories, generating nearly 19,000 ideas for good.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries and sovereignties with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business.

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Source: CSAA Insurance Group