Beyond single company climate risk disclosure: event-based physical risk reporting


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Date

2025-09

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

Web of Science:
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Data

Abstract

An increasing number of countries and stakeholders now require large companies to disclose physical climate-related risks. However, the lack of standardization has led to the use of varied risk metrics from different data sources, making it difficult to compare physical risks across companies and preventing investors from aggregating risks at the portfolio level. To address this, we develop an approach using standardized, event-based probabilistic natural catastrophe risk assessments to improve global risk data aggregation and enable customized risk metrics. Integrating these methods into climate physical risk reporting would help investors align portfolios with a risk-return efficient frontier that accounts for physical risks, directing capital toward companies better equipped to manage climate impacts and promoting strategic adaptation. We propose a transparent, replicable, open-source methodology using event-loss tables to present per-event impact data. This approach is illustrated with two fictional companies exposed to tropical cyclone risk under current and future climate scenarios, highlighting the potential for company comparison, and portfolio risk assessment and optimization. Finally, we call on the scientific community and regulators to establish standardized hazard sets and financial loss functions to support transparent comparison and risk aggregation.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

4 (3)

Pages / Article No.

35014

Publisher

IOP Publishing

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Climate risk; Finance; Climate risk reporting; Natural catastrophe modelling; Risk analysis

Organisational unit

09576 - Bresch, David Niklaus / Bresch, David Niklaus check_circle

Notes

Funding

820712 - REmote Climate Effects and their Impact on European sustainability, Policy and Trade (EC)
101081369 - Socioeconomic Pathways, Adaptation and Resilience to Changing Climate in Europe (SBFI)

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