UK's AXA Advocates Appointment of a Minister to Oversee National Resilience
In November 2020, AXA XL, a leading insurance company, launched its Coastal Risk Index (CRI) at COP26. This innovative tool, developed in partnership with AXA's scientific partners, aims to support resilience against the impacts of climate change on coastal areas. The CRI maps current and future flood hazards due to climate change, helping to identify areas at risk from coastal flooding and where investment is needed.
The report calculated the associated costs to help identify where future resources should be targeted and where urgent investment is needed. AXA XL's Coastal Risk Index is a response to the growing threat of coastal flooding due to climate change.
AXA UK, a part of AXA XL, has been vocal about its commitment to protect customers from the impact of climate change. Tara Foley, CEO of AXA UK & Ireland, stated that the company wants to ensure homes and properties are resilient and not built in flood-prone areas.
However, as of August 2025, there is no direct public information indicating that the UK government has formally appointed or established a dedicated Minister for Resilience specifically tasked with addressing extreme heat and flooding, as proposed by AXA UK. While the UK government has emphasized resilience as a key priority, particularly following the 2025 Spending Review, which highlights strengthening national resilience as central, no specific ministerial role for resilience has been publicly confirmed.
In addition to the Coastal Risk Index, AXA UK has taken other initiatives to address climate-related risks. AXA UK conducted research on the impact of extreme heat on homes and found a lack of preparedness. More than half of people polled by AXA UK said their homes weren't equipped to deal with flooding or extreme heat.
AXA UK has joined Flood Re's Build Back Better scheme, offering reimbursement costs of up to £10,000 to relevant customers. The company also supports the Government's housebuilding target but believes existing homes and new properties should be resilient and not built in flood-prone areas.
AXA is one of the signatories of an open letter to the UK Prime Minister, advocating for new laws governing automated vehicle systems. The company has also raised concerns about the lack of preparedness for extreme heat and flooding, calling for a Minister for Resilience to focus on climate change issues.
The ABI published data on subsidence support costing over £150 million, highlighting the financial impact of climate-related risks on homeowners. AXA UK's Coastal Risk Index is an initiative aimed at improving the understanding and management of coastal flood risks, integrating the protective benefits of coastal ecosystems into insurance risk models for the first time.
Despite the absence of a dedicated Minister for Resilience, AXA UK's efforts underscore the urgent need for action to address the growing threat of coastal flooding and extreme heat. As climate change continues to pose significant risks to homes and properties, initiatives like the Coastal Risk Index and calls for a Minister for Resilience will likely remain at the forefront of discussions on resilience and climate change in the UK.
[1] Source: Gov.uk [2] Source: UK Government [3] Source: BBC News [4] Source: The Guardian [5] Source: Gov.uk
- The AXA XL's Coastal Risk Index, unveiled in November 2020, provides mapping for current and future flood hazards due to climate change, aiding in the identification of at-risk areas and necessary investment.
- AXA UK, in response to the growing threat of coastal flooding due to climate change, focuses on ensuring homes and properties are built in flood-resistant areas.
- Despite the UK government emphasizing resilience as a key priority, particularly following the 2025 Spending Review, no specific ministerial role for resilience addressing extreme heat and flooding has been publicly confirmed, as proposed by AXA UK.
- AXA, in an open letter to the UK Prime Minister, advocates for new laws governing automated vehicle systems, and expresses concern about the lack of preparedness for extreme heat and flooding, pressing for a Minister for Resilience to focus on climate change issues.
- The Association of British Insurers (ABI) published data showing that subsidence support costs over £150 million, underscoring the financial impact of climate-related risks on homeowners.
