Smart Society Show Episode 6: COP 29 Updates and Reinventing Insurance for New Risks with Anthony Hobley (Deputy Chair, Climate Risk & Resilience at Howden) and Tanguy Touffut (CEO & Co-Founder of Descartes Underwriting)

In Episode 6 of The Smart Society Show, co-hosts Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore dive into the pivotal role of insurance in driving climate innovation, reporting live from COP29 in Baku. They are joined by Anthony Hobley, Deputy Chair of Climate Risk and Resilience at Howden, and Tanguy Touffut, CEO of Descartes Underwriting, to discuss how innovative insurance solutions are reshaping climate resilience and risk management.

What’s News: Live from COP29

Chris Skidmore provides firsthand insights from COP29, highlighting significant breakthroughs in global climate policy. He discusses the historic agreement on Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, which establishes a framework for international carbon markets. Chris also shares updates on new NDC commitments and emphasizes the evolving role of insurance in enabling the global climate transition. The conversation underscores how insurance is becoming a critical enabler in de-risking climate technologies and unlocking climate finance.

Chasing Net-Zero: Anthony Hobley

Anthony Hobley shares his journey from environmental law to leading climate risk initiatives at Howden. He explains how the insurance industry is uniquely positioned to unlock climate finance by de-risking investments in clean technologies and infrastructure. Anthony discusses Howden's innovative approaches, including the world's first warranty and indemnity policy for carbon credits, aimed at enhancing trust and reliability in carbon markets. He also introduces the concept of open-source resilience labs and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between insurance, finance, and technology sectors to accelerate the net-zero transition.

Chasing Unicorns: Tanguy Touffut

Tanguy Touffut discusses how Descartes Underwriting is redefining climate insurance through advanced technologies like parametric modeling and AI-driven risk assessments. He explains how Descartes is addressing the challenges of climate-induced disasters by providing tailored insurance solutions across various industries, including agriculture, energy, and construction. Tanguy highlights the use of satellite data and IoT devices to improve risk modeling and claims processing, enabling faster payouts and greater transparency. He also shares insights into navigating regulatory environments and scaling their innovative insurance models globally.

Final Thoughts

Episode 5 underscores the transformative role of the insurance industry in the global climate agenda. Brynne and Chris emphasize that innovative insurance solutions are essential for de-risking investments, enabling climate finance, and fostering resilience against climate risks. The conversations with Anthony and Tanguy illustrate how insurance is not just a financial tool but a critical enabler of climate innovation and sustainable development.

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Listen to the full episode here

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