Page 13 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT FEBRUARY 2024

Commenting on the medical outlook, Dr Marie-Louise Van Eck, Regional Medical Director,
Europe Middle East at International SOS: “We are witnessing storms, wildfires and

monsoons increasing in severity in the past years. The impacts of climate change can wreak
havoc on business operations, exhibiting non-linear patterns of disruption. For instance,
consider a construction company in the Middle East reliant on an outdoor workforce. As

temperatures rise, productivity diminishes gradually. However, beyond a certain threshold,
operations can grind to a halt due to unsafe working conditions. From high temperatures,

worsening air quality and the spread of emerging diseases to the mental health toll of natural
disasters and climate anxiety, we are seeing a concerning trend. In fact, air pollution is the
leading environmental cause of illness and premature death across the world. The changing

climate patterns are also leading to the emergence and spread of vector-borne diseases in
previously unaffected areas. Furthermore, climate change events are also negatively
affecting individuals’ mental health. This could be an immediate consequence from

experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder due to a natural disaster, or from the constant
exposure to the global catastrophic events, causing a longer-term climate anxiety and
depression amongst individuals.”

“At International SOS, we saw a significant increase in the number of climate-related alerts

we issued last year. Throughout January – November 2023, we saw a fourfold increase in
climate related alerts issued to our clients, with 80% more medical climate-related alerts
compared to the previous year. This surge underscores the critical need for organisations to

understand the complex interplay between climate change and health risks.”

Dr Marie-Louise Van Eck, thinks that organisations should take heed from the losses that can

be incurred by extreme weather events, investing in climate preparedness can help ensure a
business weathers a storm. “Climate change is of course a key environmental concern, but
importantly, also a critical factor intensifying risks for individuals and companies. Although until

recently, climate change has rarely been seen as the singular driver of conflict or security
issues, the impacts of climate change considerably exacerbate existing tensions,

vulnerabilities and operational challenges.
The cascading impacts of climate change can be the spark that ignites civil unrest, violence
and security issues at high level, as well as amplifies existing political and socio-economic

insecurities.

“It is more important than ever for organisations monitor these events, prioritise climate
resilience and incorporate proactive measures into their operational frameworks. This year,
the International SOS Risk Map 2024 includes a layer which outlines climate change risks, an