Earth Day 2025
Shifting Focus from Forecasts to Operational Realities
As climate-related incidents grow in frequency and unpredictability, their consequences extend far beyond environmental damage alone. Disruption to infrastructure, strained emergency systems, and secondary threats such as civil unrest and opportunistic crime are becoming increasingly common – even in well-prepared regions.
Designed for security leads, journey managers, and those with a duty of care, the report delivers actionable guidance rooted in real-world scenarios, enabling teams to respond with greater clarity, confidence, and control.
What Do the Spanish Floods Reveal About Risk Communication and Infrastructure Failure?
In October 2024, one of Spain’s most severe flooding events in modern history struck eastern regions including Valencia, resulting in over 230 deaths. Despite early meteorological warnings, delays in public alerts and a lack of coordinated response exposed critical failings in Spain’s decentralised emergency system. Many residents received no warning before floodwaters arrived, and some of the worst-hit areas had seen little to no rainfall.
Poor urban planning, impermeable surfaces, and outdated flood infrastructure intensified the impact, directing water into densely populated areas. In the aftermath, looting and widespread protests broke out, fuelled by public anger over the government’s response. The incident underscored how environmental disruption can quickly escalate into a broader security and reputational crisis.
How Did the LA Wildfires Expose Gaps in Crisis Messaging and Emergency Response?
In January 2025, a series of fast-moving wildfires spread across the Los Angeles area, driven by dry conditions and strong winds following a rapid shift from El Niño to La Niña. Fires ignited outside the typical wildfire season and quickly overwhelmed residential zones, causing 30 deaths and forcing over 200,000 evacuations.
Delays in evacuation orders, incorrect alerts sent to low-risk areas, and contradictory guidance caused confusion and panic on the ground. Infrastructure weaknesses, from congested evacuation routes to power outages and water supply issues, further complicated emergency response. The event demonstrated how gaps in real-time intelligence and crisis coordination can turn a natural hazard into a complex, multi-layered emergency.
What does effective climate risk preparedness look like in practice?
Traditional planning models are struggling to keep pace with the speed and variability of climate-related disruption. Preparedness demands more than hazard mapping – it requires practical evacuation drills, redundant communication systems, contingency routes, and fit-for-purpose vehicles. Pre-designated safe zones, tested equipment, and tailored planning for region-specific hazards all contribute to a stronger baseline for response.
How Can Security Teams Maintain Control During Live Crises?
Delayed alerts, power outages, and misinformation severely impacted real-time response in both case studies. Maintaining control under these conditions requires access to live intelligence feeds, reliable location tracking, and communication tools that continue to function when primary networks fail.
On-the-ground decision-making improves when security teams can adapt routes, reallocate resources, and monitor threat conditions without waiting for official confirmation.
How Do You Build a Climate-Resilient Risk Management Strategy?
Pre-crisis planning must include trigger points for evacuation, asset protection strategies, and roles clearly assigned within a crisis command structure. Secondary threats – from looting to longer-term public health risks – need to be anticipated and integrated into response planning.
Enhancing Resilience and Business Continuity Planning
Solace Global Risk is a leading provider of comprehensive risk management solutions, serving clients globally with a commitment to excellence. With a worldwide presence and a team of seasoned experts, Solace Global Risk empowers organisations to navigate complex risk landscapes with confidence and resilience.
Journey Risk Management
Diligent in-country travel security
Your duty of care doesn’t end the moment your people set foot in their destination – and neither does ours.
From transfers to ongoing security and emergency evacuations, our travel risk services always have you covered.
Global Security and Threat Intelligence
Be one step ahead to prevent a crisis
Arm yourself with the knowledge to avoid a potential threat from turning into a crisis. Intelligence advisories give you tailored reports to anticipate possible disruptions, mitigate risk and help you make well-informed decisions, faster.
Risk Management Software
Travel with confidence
Give your people peace of mind when they travel for work, so they remain focused on the job at hand. We mitigate risks, manage incidents if they occur, and support your people with security advice or help in a crisis.