Scaling Climate Insurance Through Social Protection Systems

Blue Marble highlights the role of government-led partnerships in expanding financial resilience at the Financing the SDGs Dialogue 2026 in Madrid.

Scaling climate insurance does not always require creating new programmes. Integrating financial protection into established national social protection systems offers a practical pathway to expanding access, strengthening resilience, and supporting underserved communities.

This approach was a central theme at the Financing the SDGs Dialogue 2026 in Madrid, convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC).

Jaime de Piniés, CEO of Blue Marble, joined government representatives, development institutions, and insurance industry leaders to explore how countries can move beyond standalone insurance initiatives towards sustainable, government-led financial protection.

Building on Existing Social Protection Systems

One example discussed was Blue Marble’s work with the Government of the Dominican Republic through its Supérate programme, alongside UNDP, the Insurance Development Forum (IDF), and partners in an insurance industry consortium.

The initiative integrates parametric insurance into an existing conditional cash transfer programme, connecting climate risk protection with established mechanisms supporting vulnerable communities.

By building on existing institutional structures, this approach offers an alternative to developing separate insurance programmes. It demonstrates how governments and their partners can integrate financial protection into systems already designed to reach underserved populations.

Government Ownership as a Foundation for Scale

A key insight from the dialogue was the importance of government leadership in developing sustainable insurance solutions.

When governments take ownership and institutionalise financial protection mechanisms, they establish stronger foundations for long-term implementation and expansion.

The Dominican Republic initiative illustrates how collaboration between public institutions, development organisations, and the insurance industry can support this process.

Rather than applying a single model across different markets, countries can adapt this approach to their institutional structures, national priorities, and community needs.

Advancing Inclusive Climate Risk Protection

For Blue Marble, scaling climate insurance requires more than innovative products. It requires partnerships and delivery models that make financial protection accessible through the systems and institutions communities already rely on.

The experience in the Dominican Republic reflects Blue Marble’s commitment to inclusive insurance innovation, combining public-private collaboration with practical approaches to strengthening financial resilience.

The Financing the SDGs Dialogue 2026 reinforced the value of government-led solutions and institutional partnerships in expanding climate risk protection.

Blue Marble remains committed to working with governments, development institutions, and insurance industry partners to advance scalable insurance solutions that strengthen financial resilience for underserved communities.