Climate-related travel risk on the rise: International SOS

The number of travel alerts for employees working overseas triggered by climate-related threats is on the rise, according to security firm International SOS. Publishing an update to its interactive Risk Map illustrating the threats for business travel to countries around the world, International SOS has included data on climate change risk for the first time alongside established markers for security, health and mental health risks. “International SOS is seeing a rising trend in the number of climate-related alerts being issued to clients as rising global temperatures are increasing health risks around the world,” International SOS said. International SOS revealed that it issued 80% more medical alerts to business travellers relating to climate change factors in 2023 compared to 2022, which it said: “Highlights just how significant the issue is to businesses and their leaders.” Dr Irene Lai, global medical director at International SOS, said Europe’s first ever named heatwave this year, Cerebus, “may become commonplace” with climate change events driving increased health risks for business travellers. “In addition to the physical impacts of extreme heat, there can be significant negative effects on mental health. It is essential businesses plan for this, adapting our way of living and working to protect health, while also taking steps to slow and eventually reverse the trend in rising temperatures,” Lai said. The Risk Map’s new data quantifies estimates of the impacts of climate change on the future risk of humanitarian crises and disasters. “This risk index is intended to inform policy choices across climate mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable development and humanitarian assistance for greater resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change,” International SOS said. International SOS said its Risk Map 2024 tracks the changing risk ratings of countries impacted by disruptive events, which this year has seen the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas. International SOS said the Risk Map aims to help organisations maintain their duty of care responsibilities to employees travelling or working abroad as global security, medical and climate change risks continue to evolve. Sally Llewellyn, global security director at International SOS, said the map illustrates the threats so organisations can mitigate specific risks of travel for their workforce. “For the coming year, geopolitical tensions, unrest and political instability are expected to impact business operations,” International SOS said. The Sahel, parts of the Middle East and Ukraine are rated in the ‘high’ or ‘extreme’ security risk category for 2024. Parts of Lebanon, Palestinian territories and Russia have all recorded notable risk rating increases while Ecuador and parts of Colombia have also increased, driven by a rise in criminality and unrest. The company named South Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and Somalia as some of the most risky places for business travel in 2024. Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland and Denmark remained the safest countries to travel to but International SOS highlighted improvements in other countries in different regions, in particular Bolivia and Côte d’Ivoire, based on improved access to medical care, and lower security risks in parts of Nepal. Risk ratings for travel to El Salvador and parts of Nepal have decreased, International SOS said. “International SOS continues to support organisations operating in these locations, including through providing verified information and advice on how such risks will affect their workforce or by supporting evacuations where needed,” Llewellyn said.

Climate-related travel risk on the rise: International SOS

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