Thomas Loster

Diplom-Geograph (Geographer); Chairman of the Foundation

Main focus

• Climate change and climate policy
• Disaster protection and prevention
• Social Vulnerability
• Water risks (flooding)
• Insurance aspects of natural disasters
• Sustainability

Background

Thomas Loster, born in 1957, was a member of the Munich Re's Geo Risks Research Department from 1988 to 2004.

He started off with digital cartography, headed the "Flood Risk Research" section and was in charge of the "NatCatSERVICE" natural hazard loss statistics. As a climate expert, he represented Munich Re at numerous international climate negotiations (including COPs). Mr. Loster headed the climate change working group (CCWG) of the UNEP-Finance Initiative (2003-2005).

Before taking up the post of Chairman of the Munich Re Foundation in July 2004, he was Head of Weather and Climate Risks Research in the Geo Risks Research Department of Munich Re (1997–2004).