Insurance trade group calls for setting up central agency to address climate change

The Insurance Council of New Zealand has called on the country's Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment to set up a central agency to look at ways of adapting to climate change, rather than focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Interest.co.nz reported. Local insurers settled 25,000 weather-related claims worth $240 million New Zealand ($175 million) in 2017. Tim Grafton, the council's chief executive, said that the government needs to take ownership of identifying and reducing risks to people, property and the environment and providing clear guidance to local government.

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