The World Economic Forum’s 20th annual Global Risks Report underscores a pressing reality: environmental risks have solidified as the greatest long-term concern and are set to intensify over the next decade. Published ahead of the annual Davos meeting, the report highlights the escalating threats posed by extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and disruptions to Earth’s systems. These risks demand urgent global action, innovative strategies, and sustained investment in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo is attending the Davos meeting, aiming to strengthen partnerships with the corporate sector to support initiatives such as Early Warnings for All and the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch. Saulo emphasizes the economic and societal value of investing in hydrometeorological services and early warning systems, highlighting their potential to save lives, protect livelihoods, and safeguard infrastructure.
The theme of this year’s Davos meeting, Collaboration for the Intelligent Age, reflects the transformative potential of technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and Big Data in advancing climate resilience. However, the urgency to act is magnified by the worsening impacts of extreme weather and the sobering fact that 2024 was the warmest year on record, capping a decade of unprecedented heat.
The Global Risks Report also reveals a mounting sense of alarm. While environmental risks dominate the long-term outlook, immediate concerns such as extreme weather and pollution are driving demand for solutions. Initiatives like Early Warnings for All, launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, exemplify proactive approaches to mitigating climate-related risks. This initiative, supported by the WMO, UNDRR, ITU, and IFRC, aims to ensure that everyone globally is protected by life-saving early warning systems. According to Saulo, a “whole-of-society” approach is essential, empowering diverse stakeholders to prioritize early warning systems as a collective responsibility.
The economic case for early warnings is compelling. The World Bank estimates that universal access to early warning systems could prevent annual losses of $35 billion, while the Global Commission on Adaptation found that 24-hour storm or heatwave warnings can reduce damage by 30%. Saulo highlights that investment in early warnings offers a significant return, with benefits ranging from 9-to-1 on a global scale to 19-to-1 in regions like Africa. Beyond the numbers, early warnings save lives, protect infrastructure, and enhance societal resilience.
The private sector plays a pivotal role in scaling early warning systems. Businesses benefit from accurate weather and climate insights, which can reduce operational costs and enhance revenues. Recognizing this, the Early Warnings for All initiative includes a robust Private Sector Engagement Strategy to mobilize resources and foster collaboration. Companies, from start-ups to tech giants, are increasingly integral to delivering timely warnings, analyzing hazard impacts using AI, and managing risks. Industries such as meteorological equipment, telecommunications, insurance, and data management are essential partners in this effort.
The strategy also highlights the importance of public-private partnerships (PPEs) to maximize the socioeconomic benefits of early warning systems while maintaining public service integrity. Engagement principles—such as accountability, transparency, and inclusivity—are critical to building trust and ensuring effective collaboration.
As climate risks escalate, the intersection of innovation, investment, and collaboration offers a path forward. Early warnings, driven by both public and private initiatives, represent a cornerstone of climate resilience, safeguarding communities and ecosystems while fostering economic stability.
