Climate Change to Impact Education and Employment Outcomes, Warns Zurich-Mandala Climate Risk Index


The Zurich-Mandala Climate Risk Index has, for the first time, been used to assess the climate change risks faced by almost 10,000 primary and secondary schools across Australia.  

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The analysis leverages over a century of proprietary risk data from Zurich Australia, combined with cutting-edge climate forecasting technology and insights.

In Australia, children spend over half the year in classrooms, making school a critical foundation for developing the skills and knowledge needed for future success. Australian schools have long been impacted by climate change, facing challenges like bushfires, floods, and extreme heatwaves. But how exactly is climate change affecting children’s education and what are the long term affects? 

By 2060, extreme heat could cause academic performance in areas like writing, spelling, and numeracy to drop by over 7% in certain regions, potentially resulting in a $73,000 reduction in lifetime earnings. Australian students are expected to experience 34 heatwave days per year by that time. 

New South Wales and Queensland have the largest number of schools at high climate risk, with 92% and 91% falling into the top three risk categories. The Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory are not far behind, also facing significant climate challenges. 

Currently, two-thirds of Australian schools face significant climate risks, and this number is projected to rise to 84% by 2060, assuming a 2°C temperature increase under an intermediate climate scenario. 

Disadvantaged schools are more vulnerable to climate risks, with 80% of those in low socio-educational advantage areas facing significant threats, compared to about 60% of higher-advantage schools. Most of the ten schools at highest risk are government schools in these disadvantaged areas, particularly exposed to bushfire and flood hazards. This highlights the compounded challenges these schools face due to both socio-economic disadvantage and climate-related risks. 

The report stresses the critical need to bolster the resilience of Australian schools against the impacts of climate change on student outcomes and social inequalities. It further underscores the important role insurers play in managing these risks, leveraging their expertise in risk data to help inform decision-making and strategies. Through collaboration with governments and communities, insurers can help reduce climate-related impacts, improving preparedness and response, and ensuring long-term resilience.  

Read the full report today.