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Insights from FSB report on climate related vulnerabilities

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Published: 17 Jan 2025

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The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has released an important report titled Assessment of Climate-related Vulnerabilities: Analytical Framework and Toolkit.

This document is designed to assist financial authorities in evaluating and addressing the growing risks that climate change poses to global financial stability. In this summary, we explore the key aspects of the report, using clear and accessible language.

Introduction

Climate change has increasingly become a pressing issue, not only for environmentalists but also for policymakers and financial authorities worldwide. The frequency and severity of climate-related events, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, have intensified in recent years. These events have significant implications for the resilience of financial systems. Natural disasters and the subsequent economic disruptions can impact industries, destroy infrastructure, and reduce productivity, leading to financial instability across regions. 

In response to these challenges, the FSB has developed a framework that enables financial authorities to assess climate-related vulnerabilities systematically. This effort aligns with broader initiatives to integrate climate-related risks into financial decision-making processes and stability assessments. The FSB’s report aims to offer a structured approach to identifying, evaluating, and addressing these risks.

The Framework for Assessing Climate-related Vulnerabilities 

The FSB’s framework focuses on understanding how physical and transition climate risks interact with the global financial system. Climate risks are broadly divided into two categories: 

Physical Risks: These are the direct effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and prolonged droughts. These risks can cause immediate damage to assets, disrupt supply chains, and impact financial institutions that provide loans or insurance in affected areas. 

Transition Risks: These arise from the financial implications of societal shifts toward a low-carbon economy. Policy changes, technological advancements, and evolving consumer preferences can lead to a decline in the value of certain assets, particularly those tied to fossil fuels or other high-carbon industries. 

The framework outlines a series of steps to assess these risks: 

1. Identification of Climate Shocks 

The first step involves recognising specific events or developments that could act as shocks to the financial system. For example, a major hurricane causing widespread damage or sudden regulatory changes mandating carbon reductions could trigger financial instability. 

2. Transmission Channels 

Once a shock is identified, the next step is to understand how it might affect financial institutions and markets. Transmission channels include: 

Market Risk: Declining asset values due to physical damage or policy shifts. 

Credit Risk: Borrowers defaulting on loans due to climate-related losses. 

Operational Risk: Disruptions to business operations caused by extreme weather events. 

3. Amplification Mechanisms 

Certain factors within the financial system can amplify the impact of climate shocks. For example, high leverage in financial institutions or overexposure to carbon-intensive industries can exacerbate vulnerabilities. 

4. Outcomes 

The final step is to evaluate the potential consequences of these risks for financial stability. This includes assessing the scale of losses, disruptions in financial services, and potential spillover effects on the broader economy.

The Analytical Toolkit 

To operationalise the framework, the FSB provides an analytical toolkit that includes various metrics and methodologies. These tools are designed to help financial authorities measure and manage climate-related risks effectively. The key components of the toolkit are:

Proxies 

Proxies are indicators that provide indirect measures of climate-related exposures. For example, the carbon intensity of assets, measured as emissions per unit of output, can serve as a proxy for the risk associated with transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Similarly, geographic location can act as a proxy for exposure to physical risks like floods or wildfires. 

Exposure Metrics

These metrics quantify the extent to which financial institutions are exposed to climate-related risks. For instance, a bank’s loan portfolio might be analysed to determine the proportion of loans extended to industries highly vulnerable to climate shocks, such as agriculture or coastal real estate.

Risk Metrics

Risk metrics evaluate the potential financial impact of identified exposures. Tools like stress testing and scenario analysis are commonly used. Stress tests simulate the effects of extreme but plausible events, such as a sudden spike in carbon prices or a major natural disaster. Scenario analysis involves exploring the financial implications of various climate pathways, including different levels of global warming or varying policy responses.

Challenges and Data Gaps

The report highlights several challenges in assessing climate-related vulnerabilities. One major issue is the lack of consistent, high-quality data on climate risks. Many financial institutions and industries do not yet have comprehensive systems in place to measure their exposure to these risks. Moreover, the interconnected nature of the global financial system makes it difficult to trace how risks in one sector or region might cascade to others.  To address these challenges, the FSB emphasises the need for improved data collection and sharing. Enhanced collaboration between public and private sectors can facilitate the development of standardised metrics and methodologies. Additionally, the report calls for greater investment in research to deepen our understanding of the financial implications of climate change.

The Dynamic Nature of the Framework 

The FSB’s framework and toolkit are designed to evolve over time. As new information becomes available and our understanding of climate-related risks improves, the framework will be updated to reflect these advancements. The FSB encourages financial authorities to actively apply the tools provided and share their findings, fostering a collaborative approach to tackling climate-related vulnerabilities.

The Broader Implications for Financial Stability

Addressing climate-related risks is not just about protecting individual institutions; it is about safeguarding the entire financial system. Climate change has the potential to disrupt key sectors of the economy, from agriculture to manufacturing and energy. Such disruptions can lead to widespread financial instability, affecting businesses, households, and governments.  Furthermore, the transition to a low-carbon economy presents its own set of challenges. While necessary to mitigate the long-term effects of climate change, this transition requires substantial investments and policy shifts. Industries that fail to adapt could face significant financial losses, potentially destabilising markets.

Conclusion

The FSB’s report represents a significant step forward in addressing the financial stability implications of climate change. By providing a structured framework and an analytical toolkit, it equips financial authorities with the means to identify, assess, and mitigate climate-related vulnerabilities. However, the success of these efforts will depend on continued collaboration, investment in data and research, and a commitment to adapting the framework as our understanding of climate risks evolves.  In the face of an uncertain future, the FSB’s initiative underscores the importance of proactive measures to ensure the resilience of the global financial system. By integrating climate-related risks into financial assessments and decision-making processes, we can build a more sustainable and stable financial system for generations to come. 

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