Bresch, David N

Biography

Full Professor for Weather and Climate Risks at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zürich and MeteoSwiss since 2016. 2000-2016, roles at Swiss Re included Head Business Development, Global Head Sustainability, Head Atmospheric Perils Group and Chief modeler for natural catastrophe risk assessment. 1998-1999 Research Associate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, Cambridge, USA. Member of the Swiss UNFCCC delegation 2009-2012 and 2015, member of the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG) of the UN Green Climate Fund (GCF), 2014-2016. PhD in physics from ETH Zurich, Switzerland. Member of the OcCC and steering committee member of ProClim. Board member of WWF Switzerland, Academia Engelberg and sanu future learning AG.

Research Interest

David Bresch’s research focuses on the impacts of weather and climate on socio-economic systems. Combining numerical (open source) probabilistic modelling of weather and climate risks with the engagement of decision makers and end-users, his research aims to explore ways to strengthen their resilience and create a shared understanding of weather and climate susceptibility. Such an integrated view along the chain of impacts also opens new perspectives and approaches to the treatment of uncertainty in decision-making. He has conducted many case studies across the globe, applying a worldwide consistent, yet locally specific methodology to strengthen climate resilience while integrating adaptation with economic development and sustainable growth.