Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath convened a statewide climate-risk insurance summit with the British Consulate-General Los Angeles to develop wildfire resilience solutions for California communities.
The gathering brought together experts from government, academia, finance and insurance sectors to examine the United Kingdom's Flood Re model and explore similar frameworks for fire-impacted California regions.
"With climate disasters intensifying and wildfire recovery becoming a year-round reality in California, today's conversation underscores what's possible when we bring together global expertise and local commitment," Horvath said.
The summit directly supports recommendations from Horvath's Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery, which outlined new governance structures, resilient building standards and financing strategies for equitable recovery across Los Angeles County.
"Our changing environment impacts us all, which is why it is so important for us to share knowledge amongst friends and partners," said Paul J. Rennie, His Majesty's Consul General in Los Angeles.
Hunter Maats, CEO of Resilience Investments, emphasized the broader economic implications of California's insurance challenges.
"California's insurance challenges aren't just an insurance issue; they're an economic one," Maats said. "Insurability is the foundation of investability. When coverage becomes unstable, it puts at risk homeowners' primary source of wealth and the property-tax base that funds schools and local services."
The convening represents part of Horvath's broader effort to reform the region's wildfire response, ensuring viable insurance markets and dignified community recovery after disasters.
The initiative aims to establish Los Angeles County as a leader in climate-resilient governance while developing actionable solutions for communities facing increasing wildfire threats.
The summit builds on the Blue Ribbon Commission's recommendations for hardening critical infrastructure and creating financing strategies that support insurability across the county's diverse communities.
Edited by SMDP Staff