June 15, 2018 On June 14th, The Wharton Risk Center’s Policy Incubator received the Julio Castelo Matrán International Insurance Award from Fundación MAPFRE, a Madrid-based non-profit foundation committed to human well-being and social progress. Presented biennially, the €30,000 award recognizes projects that foster economic stability and solidarity through insurance and/or…Read More
ESG Initiative News
Regional Conservation as a Climate Adaptation Tool
May 3, 2018 Helen J.P. Wiley St. Louis City and County are situated in the triangle formed by three rivers: the Missouri, the Mississippi, and the Meramec, with numerous tributaries crisscrossing the landscape. Unsurprisingly, the area is no stranger to floods. Approaches to managing flood risk vary, and include traditional…Read More
WSII and Good Capital Project launch Total Impact Portfolio Challenge
The ESG Initiative at the Wharton School News Wharton Social Impact Initiative and Good Capital Project launch Total Impact Portfolio Challenge The Good Capital Project, in collaboration with the Wharton Social Impact Initiative, is launching the Total Impact Portfolio Challenge – a competition to provide a hands-on opportunity for graduate…Read More Residential Flood Insurance in Puerto Rico
March 29, 2018 Carolyn Kousky and Brett Lingle* Flood insurance in Puerto Rico has attracted media and policymaker attention since Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the island in late summer 2017 (see here and here, for example). One reason is the incredibly low take-up rate for flood insurance, which left…Read More
The Importance of Accurate Flood Hazard Maps and Risk-Based Premiums
March 28, 2018 Howard Kunreuther and Marilyn Montgomery Accurate flood hazard maps are needed to set risk-based insurance premiums and to effectively communicate flood risk to families, communities, and other stakeholders. Insurance not only provides financial protection against flood damages, but can also incentivize property owners to undertake cost-effective mitigation…Read More
Reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program
March 5, 2018 Howard Kunreuther Many U.S. homeowners are inadequately protected against flood hazards. Relatively few purchase flood insurance and even fewer invest in cost-effective risk-reduction measures. As a result, many are left in financial straits when floods, storms, or hurricanes wreak havoc on their homes. The National Flood Insurance…Read More
17 Social Impact Leaders are Awarded Loan Forgiveness
The ESG Initiative at the Wharton School News 17 Social Impact Leaders are Awarded Loan Forgiveness The Wharton Social Impact Initiative is pleased to announce the 2018 recipients of the John M. Bendheim Loan Forgiveness Fund for Public Service. These 17 Bendheim Fellow are examples of Wharton alumni using their skills—in…Read More
How Sea Level Rise Simulations Can Improve Climate Adaptation
February 15, 2018 Bob Meyer Co-Director, Wharton Risk Center Sea level rise threatens coastal communities around the world. In densely developed, low-lying regions such as South Florida, the threat is particularly acute. One of the most financially vulnerable regions on the planet, an intermediate sea level rise scenario could result…Read More
The Cape Town Water Crisis: What Does the Future Hold?
February 13, 2018 SiriusXM Business Radio Powered by The Wharton School recently had a segment on the Cape Town water crisis. Host Don Loney of the Knowledge@Wharton show discussed the current situation in Cape Town and what it tells us about the future of water in a changing climate with guests…Read More
Moving the Needle on Closing the Flood Insurance Gap
February 13, 2018 Carolyn Kousky, Brett Lingle*, Howard Kunreuther, and Leonard Shabman In October 2018, the Wharton Risk Center’s Policy Incubator hosted a workshop designed to evaluate policy options for expanding the number of people with flood insurance in the United States, particularly those of low and moderate income. The…Read More