Climate change is no longer a distant challenge for Switzerland. With temperatures already around 2.9°C above pre-industrial levels, the country is warming faster than the global average. The impacts are becoming increasingly visible and this summer may be just a glimpse of what lies ahead: more frequent heatwaves, prolonged droughts, glacier loss, flooding, and growing impacts on agriculture, infrastructure, ecosystems and public health.

While mitigation remains essential, adaptation has become unavoidable. Strengthening resilience is now critical to maintaining Switzerland’s prosperity, competitiveness, and quality of life. As climate risks intensify, sectors ranging from water management and energy to tourism and food production will need to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions, sustainable water management, and improved risk preparedness.

For the Swiss financial sector, this transition presents both risks and opportunities. Physical climate risks remain insufficiently integrated into many long-term financial decisions, despite their impact on portfolios, assets, and supply chains. At the same time, financing adaptation can strengthen resilience, support long-term value creation, and enhance competitiveness.

Yet a significant financing gap persists. Adaptation projects are often less visible and harder to standardize than mitigation investments, making them more difficult to finance and scale. Closing this gap will require innovative financing approaches, including blended finance, stronger public-private collaboration, and improved methods for measuring resilience outcomes. Swiss banks, asset managers, and investors can play a key role by mobilizing capital, integrating physical climate risks into decision-making, and supporting clients in adapting to a changing climate.

To advance this discussion, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), Asset Management Association Switzerland (AMAS), and the Geneva Financial Center (GFC) are organizing the workshop “Climate Adaptation: From Risk to Impact” during Building Bridges 2026. Bringing together representatives from finance, government, international organizations, and the real economy, the session will explore practical solutions to accelerate adaptation and strengthen resilience.

Join us on 6 October 2026 in Geneva and be part of the discussion on how Switzerland can turn climate risks into opportunities for resilience, innovation and sustainable growth.

– Author: Naomi Ding, Policy Advisor Sustainable Finance, Swiss Bankers Association (SBA).

– This contribution is brought to you by Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), a valued Founding Partner of Building Bridges.