The Climate Financial Risk Forum publishes its second set of guides to help the financial industry effectively manage climate-related financial risks

Press Releases First published: Last updated: 21/10/2021

A second round of guides to help financial firms manage climate-related financial risk has been published by the Climate Financial Risk Forum (CFRF).

Written by industry, for industry, the guides focus on risk management, scenario analysis, disclosure, innovation and climate data and metrics. The guides published today build on those published in July 2020 and will help firms respond effectively to climate-related financial risks.

The CFRF has been running since March 2019 and is chaired jointly by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), reflecting the importance of climate change to their respective strategic objectives.

Sam Woods, CEO of the PRA commented:

'The contribution provided by the forum is based on the development of best practice for industry, by industry. Building on the excellent foundation provided by the 2020 guide, the papers published today provide practical guidance on a multitude of issues to help firms manage the financial risks generated by climate change. These risks are unique and demand an ambitious and strategic response from firms, and the material published today should aid this effort.'

Nikhil Rathi, Chief Executive of the FCA commented:

'These guides will help firms overcome some of the difficulties they’ve faced. Importantly, they also focus on innovation, so financial firms can see the opportunities, as well as challenges, from more effective climate-related financial risk management.'

These guides will help firms and in particular, the risk appetite statements, online scenario analysis tool and the climate metrics dashboard, have been deliberately designed to enable firms to overcome the significant challenges that they have encountered in these areas.

The five CFRF working groups below are collectively publishing a total of 10 deliverables today which are summarised as follows:

  • Risk Management. The outputs for the Risk Management Working Group (RMWG) are designed to help retail banks, corporate banks, insurers and asset managers produce and implement risk appetite statements that integrate climate-related financial risks. Additionally, the RMWG has produced a paper that summarises a firm’s training needs for climate risks and opportunities and how they could be delivered as a coherent syllabus.
  • Scenario Analysis. The Scenario Analysis Working Group (SAWG) has produced practical examples on how firms can incorporate sector specific points when developing an effective approach to scenario analysis. The SAWG will publish a publicly available online scenario analysis tool in Q1 2022. The tool is designed for use by smaller firms who may not have the experience or resources to attempt independently.
  • Disclosure. The Disclosure Working Group (DWG) has collated a number of case studies on disclosure from a variety of organisations that will be of interest to firms as they develop their approach to climate-related disclosures. The DWG have also produced guidance highlighting the legal risks associated with publishing a climate-related disclosure and how these risks can be effectively managed.
  • Innovation. The Innovation Working Group (IWG) has focused on identifying and sharing practical opportunities to mobilise financial capital and steward an economy-wide transition to meet climate targets and the resultant briefing paper highlights the key points. Additionally, the IWG have produced a set of 7 short films highlighting innovative approaches to mobilising finance in support of the transition to net-zero.
  • Climate Data and Metrics. The report on climate data and metrics recommends five areas where climate-related metrics could be employed: Transition Risks; Physical Risks; Portfolio decarbonisation; Mobilising transition finance and Engagement. The first part of the report provides detail on each of these areas. The second part focusses on implementation and provides practical guidance and support on convergence towards a set of common and consistent climate metrics.

Notes to editors

  1. Climate Financial Risk Forum 21 October 2021 Session 2 outputs
  2. Climate Financial Risk Forum 2020 Guide 
  3. The Climate Financial Risk Forum terms of reference and minutes
  4. Bank of England Climate Change page 
  5. PRA Policy Statement PS11/19 and Supervisory Statement 3/19: Enhancing banks’ and insurers’ approaches to managing the financial risks from climate change. 15 April 2019
  6. The Climate Financial Risk Forum (CFRF) guide has been written by industry, for industry. The recommendations in this guide do not constitute financial or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. The PRA and FCA have convened and facilitated CFRF discussions but the views expressed in this guide do not necessarily represent the view of the regulators and in any case do not constitute regulatory guidance.