Climate Change and Sustainability Resources

1. (CIA Public Statement) Public Statement: Time to Act: Facing the Risks of a changing climate Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA). 2019.

   In the face of a changing climate, the Canadian Institute of Actuaries is calling for the following:

   1. Prioritize data collection related to the financial impacts of climate-related events.
   2. Implement policies that accelerate climate-risk financial reporting requirements.
   3. Account for climate-related factors in investment decisions and corporate risk planning.
2. (Paris Agreement/Canada’s Goals) Canada's climate plan Government of Canada. Updated 2021.

   Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, carbon pollution, carbon pricing, climate change resilience, clean technology, and jobs.

3. (Paris Agreement) The Paris Agreement Overview United Nations. 2015.

   The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. The Paris Agreement works on a 5-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action carried out by countries. By 2020, countries submit their plans for climate action known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

4. (GHG Emissions) The Keeling Curve Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

   The Keeling Curve is a daily record of global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration maintained by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

5. (GHG Emissions) Bloomberg Carbon Clock Bloomberg.

   The Bloomberg Carbon Clock is a real-time estimate of the global monthly atmospheric CO2 level.

6. (IPCC/GHG emission pathways) IPCC Assessment Reports (AR) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

   The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change. The IPCC is currently in its Sixth Assessment cycle, during which the IPCC will produce the Assessment reports of its three working groups, three special reports, a refinement to the methodology report and the Synthesis report.

7. (GHG Emission/Climate Change) Decarbonization: A Briefing for Actuaries Discussion Paper International Actuarial Association (IAA) Resource and Environment Working Group. 2018.

   This paper provides an introduction to the topic of decarbonization for actuaries around the world. Aspects covered include: the main types and sources of greenhouse gas emissions; relevant international agreements; commitments made; the policies adopted; likely future developments; and, observations on potential actuarial implications.

8. (Climate change impact on actuarial work) Climate Change for Actuaries: An Introduction Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFOA). 2019.

   This report is an introduction to climate change for actuaries in all fields of work. It summarizes the impact of climate change on natural and human systems, the insurance industry, and capital markets.

9. (Climate change impact on actuarial work) Importance of Climate-Related Risks for Actuaries International Actuarial Association (IAA). 2020.

   This paper is the first of a series of papers aimed at creating awareness and promoting actuarial approaches in climate-related risk management and reporting. It discusses the main components of the climate-related risks relevant to actuaries, their implications, the broad categories of actuarial work and the importance of climate-related risk to each category. The categories considered are actuarial modelling, product management, risk and capital management, investment management, and disclosure.

10. (Climate change impact on actuarial work/Webcast) Fireside Chat on Climate Change and the Work of Actuaries Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) Climate Change and Sustainability Committee (CCSC). 2020.

1. (P&C/Life&Health) Climate Change Risk Assessment for the Insurance Industry The Geneva Association. 2021.

   This report offers a decision-making framework for climate risk assessment and scenario analysis for P&C and life re/insurers. The analysis considers all physical and transition climate change risks for the liability and asset sides of the balance sheet, by line of business and over distinct time horizons.

2. (Life&Health) A Practical Guide to Climate Change for Life Actuaries Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFOA). 2019.

   This guide provides life actuaries with an overview of how climate change impacts on life insurance and the particular areas of work for life actuaries. It covers changes to economic growth and performance in wider economies, investment over or underperformance, current mortality and insurance regulatory environment and morbidity and uncertainty around future trends, as well as the climate risks around physical, transition, and liability risk.

3. (P&C) A Practical Guide to Climate Change for GI Practitioners Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFOA). 2019.

   This guide provides general insurance practitioners with an overview of different aspects of insurance operations that may be affected by climate change. It highlights the impact of the climate change risks on pricing and underwriting, reserving, reinsurance, catastrophe modelling, investment, risk management, and capital management processes.

4. (Pension) A Practical Guide for Actuaries working in Defined Contribution Pensions Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFOA). 2018.

   This guide explains how climate risks may be relevant to defined contribution pension arrangements and is designed to support actuaries and others working in defined contribution pensions in exercising their judgement in this area. It is produced to support actuaries advising UK defined contribution pension schemes (trust, contract, and master trust), although some of the material may also be relevant for actuaries advising other types of pension schemes and in other jurisdictions.

5. (Pension) A Practical Guide for Defined Benefit Pension Actuaries Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFOA). 2017.
   

   This guide explains where climate issues are relevant to pension schemes and the work of pension actuaries. It attempts at helping pension actuaries to assist their clients in navigating the uncertainties associated with climate issues, in collaboration with covenant and investment advisers.

6. (P&C) Climate Risk Matrix: Factoring Climate Risk into Financial Valuation Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation (Intact Centre). 2020.

   The Climate Risk Matrix (CRM) is a tool that institutional investors can use to identify material physical risks that investee companies face from climate-related extreme weather events.

7. (P&C) A framework for assessing financial impacts of physical climate change: A practitioner’s aide for the general insurance sector Bank of England. 2019.

   The paper is developed to support the general insurance industry in managing climate change risk on the liability side of a firm’s balance sheet. It assesses the current tools used for measuring this risk. As well, it sets out recommendations for how the catastrophe analytics industry can contribute further by providing accessible tools and helping consolidate, distill, and highlight the most compelling research on the impact of climate change on natural disasters.

8. (P&C) Managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in non-life insurance business United Nations Environment Programme. 2020.

   This guide outlines eight areas comprising possible actions for insurers to manage ESG risks in non-life insurance transactions, focusing on risk assessment and insurance underwriting.

9. (P&C/Life&Health/Pension) Navigating Uncertainty in Climate Change Discussion Paper OSFI. 2021.

   In January 2021, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) launched a three-month consultation with the publication of a discussion paper, Navigating Uncertainty in Climate Change: Promoting Preparedness and Resilience to Climate-Related Risks. The paper focuses on risks arising from climate change that can affect the safety and soundness of federally regulated financial institutions (FRFIs) and federally regulated pension plans (FRPPs). Through this consultation, OSFI is seeking to engage FRFIs, FRPPs and other interested stakeholders in a dialogue on climate-related risks.

10. (P&C/Life&Health/Pension) Guidelines on Environmental Risk Management (Insurers) Monetary Authority of Singapore. 2020.
    

    These guidelines set out MAS’ expectations on environmental risk management for all insurers. The guidelines cover:

    • Governance and strategy
    • Risk management
    • Underwriting
    • Investment
    • Disclosure of environmental risk information
11. (P&C/Life&Health) The heat is on: Insurability and Resilience in a Changing Climate CRO Forum. 2019

    The intention of this position paper is to provide insurance sector risk professionals, and wider stakeholders, with a clear understanding of climate change implications for the insurance industry, both from an underwriting and investment perspective, and to equip them to challenge their businesses and clients in their responses to climate change. The paper aims to navigate the main issues and provide a clear and up-to-date view of the climate change challenge, centered around the potential impacts on the insurance sector.

1. (P&C/Life&Health/Pension) Introduction to Climate-Related Scenarios International Actuarial Association (IAA). 2021.

   This paper was prepared by the Climate Risk Task Force of the International Actuarial Association (IAA). The paper provides helpful insights into the requirements for good scenario analysis, components from which scenarios can be assembled, and considers some of the tools available to actuaries. It reviews the challenges and barriers that need to be considered in the development or use of workable climate-related scenarios and how those barriers may impact planning and implementation of adaptation actions and building resilience.

2. (Pension) Climate Scenario Analysis for Pension Schemes: A UK Case Study Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFOA). 2020.

   This paper explores how climate scenario analysis can be used as a tool for forward-looking assessment of the risks and opportunities for defined benefit pension schemes and other financial institutions. It is intended to provide an example of how pension schemes can integrate climate change into their thinking on matters such as funding strategies and long-term strategic asset allocation, and should prove useful to pension actuaries and other advisors who are seeking to give specific consideration to climate risks in their advice to scheme trustees and sponsors.

3. (P&C/Life&Health/Pension) The 2021 biennial exploratory scenario on the financial risks from climate change Discussion Paper Bank of England. 2019.

   This discussion paper aims to examine the financial risks posed by climate change. The exercise will test the resilience of the current business models of the largest banks, insurers and the financial system to climate related risks and therefore the scale of adjustment that will need to be undertaken in coming decades for the system to remain resilient.

4. (Pension) Climate Scenario Analysis for Pension Schemes: An illustration of potential long-term economic & financial market impacts Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFOA). 2020.

   This paper examines the long-term economic and financial impacts projected by a model that combines climate science with macro-economic and financial effects to examine the relative impacts of three different climate pathways. A presentation is also available.

5. (Transition Risk) Managing Climate and Carbon Risk in Investment Portfolios Society of Actuaries (SOA). 2018.

   This report focused on analyzing climate change and carbon risk in the equity investment portfolios of insurance company and pension fund assets.

6. (P&C/Life&Health/Pension) Investing in a time of Climate Change – the sequel  Mercer 2018.

   This is the latest climate scenario model for assessing the effects of both climate-related physical damages (physical risks) and the transition to a low-carbon economy (transition risks) on investment return expectations. The Sequel models three climate change scenarios, a 2°C, 3°C and 4°C average warming increase on preindustrial levels, over three timeframes - 2030, 2050 and 2100.

7. (Pension/Webcast) Climate Scenario Analysis Including a Pension Case Study Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) Climate Change and Sustainability Committee (CCSC). 2020.

1. (Extreme Weather/North America) Actuarial Weather Extremes Monthly Report Series Society of Actuaries (SOA). 2021

   This monthly report series identifies and examines weather extremes in North America. Using data from several sources, the reports identify and summarize unusual or extreme single-day or multi-day weather events.

2. (P&C/Extreme Weather/Global) International Catastrophe Pooling for Extreme Weather Society of Actuaries (SOA) & Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA). 2019.

   The Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries commissioned the International Catastrophe Pooling for Extreme Weather research study to analyze the main catastrophe pooling structures currently in place, including the strengths and weaknesses of their designs, and suggest possible improvements and expansions to better address small nations’ insurance needs.

3. (Life&Health/Global) Lancet Countdown Report on Health and Climate Change The Lancet. 2020.

   The 2020 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: responding to converging crises tracks the emerging health profile of the changing climate that is relevant to life and health actuaries.

4. (Life&Health/Global) Climate Change and Mortality International Actuarial Association (IAA). 2017.

   This paper includes a summary of some of the leading research done by major Organizations around the world. It describes some of the possible future impacts on The total global population, particularly vulnerable population segments and the Portion of the population covered by insurance and retirement programs.

5. (P&C/Life&Health/Floods/Global) Flood Risk Discussion Paper International Actuarial Association (IAA). 2019.

   This discussion paper provides a description of flood risk and how it can be managed. It is intended to provide a fundamental background and encourage discussion on this important topic for use by actuaries, regulators, and public policy planners around the world. Aspects covered include: the entire flood risk management process, methods that can be used to assess, mitigate, and finance the risks involved, the role of insurance and governments, public policy implications, and the role of actuaries.

6. (Changing Climate/Canada) Canada's Changing Climate Report Government of Canada. 2019.

   The purpose of this report is to provide a climate science foundation for the other National Assessment products. Its objectives are to assess current knowledge about how Canada’s climate is changing and why, and what changes are projected for the future, to help inform mitigation and adaptation decision-making, and to help raise public awareness and understanding of Canada’s changing climate.

7. (Life&Health/P&C/Global) Human Cost of Disaster (2000-2019) United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). 2020.

   The statistics in this report are from the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) maintained by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) which records disasters which have killed ten or more people; affected 100 or more people; resulted in a declared state of emergency; or a call for international assistance. In the period 2000 to 2019, there were 7,348 major recorded disaster events claiming 1.23 million lives, affecting 4.2 billion people (many on more than one occasion) resulting in approximately US$2.97 trillion in global economic losses. 

1. (US/Canada) Actuarial Climate Index (ACI) AAA&CIA&CAS&SOA. 2019.

   The ACI is sponsored by 4 actuarial organizations. The six components of the Actuaries Climate Index are:

   1. high temperatures
   2. low temperatures
   3. heavy rainfall
   4. drought (consecutive dry days)
   5. high wind
   6. sea level.
2. (Global) Global Climate Risk Index German Watch. 2021.

   The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 analyses to what extent countries and regions have been affected by impacts of weather-related loss events (storms, floods, heat waves etc.). The most recent data available — for 2019 and from 2000 to 2019 — was taken into account. 

3. (Global) World Risk Index Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) of Ruhr-University Bochum. 2020.

   The WorldRiskIndex states the risk of disaster in consequence of extreme natural events for 181 of the world’s countries. It is calculated on a country-by-country basis through the multiplication of exposure and vulnerability (with weights on susceptibility, coping and adaptation). Exposure covers threats of the population due to earthquakes, storms, floods, droughts, and sea-level rise.

4. (Global) Climate Change Knowledge Portal World Bank. 2020.

   The Portal provides an online platform for access to comprehensive global, regional, and country data related to climate change and development. Users can achieve the following:

   1. Learn about climate and climate related datasets at the global, regional, and country level.
   2. Enhance knowledge on climate change related topics, including exposure, vulnerability, sectoral impacts, and adaptation options.
   3. Assess, visualize, and download resourceful climate data and information.
5. (Global) INFORM Risk Index European Commission. 2020.

The INFORM Risk Index is a global, open-source risk assessment for humanitarian crises and disasters. It can support decisions about prevention, preparedness, and response. It includes:

1. Results and data
2. Country profile
3. Subnational Risk
4. INFORM Epidemics
5. Dashboard.
6. (Global) ND Gain Country Index University of Notre Dame. 2018.

   The ND-GAIN Country Index summarizes a country's vulnerability to climate change and other global challenges in combination with its readiness to improve resilience. It aims to help governments, businesses and communities better prioritize investments for a more efficient response to the immediate global challenges ahead.

The Financial Stability Board has created a Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) that has published recommendations on the disclosures to be made in financial statements. These recommendations were approved by the G-20 in July 2017 but are not mandatory. However, a growing number of enterprises, asset owners, and asset managers have confirmed they will comply with the recommendations as reported on the TCFD website.

1. (Life&Health/P&C/Pension) TCFD Implementation Guide Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB). 2017.

   The TCFD Implementation Guide developed by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) aims help companies enhance the robustness, consistency, comparability, and utility of TCFD implementation and reporting through SASB and CDSB’s market-tested frameworks, standards, and resources.

2. (Life&Health/P&C/Pension) Navigating climate scenario analysis – a guide for institutional investors Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC). 2018.

   This guide serves as a “how to guide” for institutional investors who are beginning to construct and conduct scenario analysis, in accordance with the TCFD framework. The guide explains the concept behind scenario testing and establishes a framework for scenario analysis, including the setting of objectives in performing the testing, understanding and selecting climate scenarios, applying climate scenarios to develop appropriate investment parameters and inputs, and review and disclosure of results.

3. (Life&Health/P&C/Pension) User Guide to Climate-related Financial Disclosure Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) 2020.

   The User Guide to Climate-related Financial Disclosure was produced by a joint working party set up by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA). It aims to help a wide range of stakeholders, from risk management specialists and sustainability practitioners, investors, lenders, and insurers, through to interested members of the public understand the disclosure requirements that follows the TCFD recommendations.

4. (Pension) Discussion paper: Pension Fund ESG Risk Disclosures; Developing Global Practice International Actuarial Association (IAA). 2020.

   The discussion paper summarizes the main features and trends in pension fund Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk disclosures around the world available to regulators, members, and the public.

1. Research on Emerging Topics Society of Actuaries (SOA).

   This webpage includes risk management studies and reports and research that explores how climate risk may affect the finance and insurance industries.

2. Catastrophe & Climate Strategic Research Program Newsletter Society of Actuaries (SOA). 2021.

   This newsletter features information about the SOA’s upcoming Catastrophe & Climate Strategic Research Program, along with featured research projects, recent news items, authored content recommendations and related research from other organizations.

3. (Current Research Opportunity) TCFD Current Practice to Best Practice for the Insurance Industry Society of Actuaries (SOA). 2021.

   The Catastrophe & Climate Strategic Research Program Steering Committee (CCSRP) is seeking researchers to conduct a study of the qualitative and quantitative aspects of regulatory filings, and from among the ways to respond within the TCFD disclosure framework, determine which are accomplishing their goals and which rank as: Good, Better, Best Practices.

4. (Closed Call for Research) Disaster Events and Impact on Investments Society of Actuaries (SOA). 2021.

   The Committee on Finance Research, and Catastrophe and Climate Strategic Research Program are seeking researchers to examine the impact of large scale disaster events on investments and financial markets. Respondents to this Request for Proposals are expected to propose a suitable approach to assessing this connection. Possible approaches include developing a model based on data from recent disasters using predictive analytics methodology or applications of existing methodology that assesses the relationship of investment changes to non-disaster events.

5. (Closed Call for Research) Disparate Health and Property Impact of Extreme Climate Events: 2017-2020 Society of Actuaries (SOA). 2021.

   The Society of Actuaries is seeking researchers to research a broad scope of vulnerable populations and take further steps in studying and highlighting for the actuarial profession impacts from extreme weather events over comparable time periods in 2017-2020.

6. (Closed Call for Research) Projected Changes in Insurability and Affordability of Insurance Coverages due to Climate Change Society of Actuaries (SOA). 2020.

   The SOA’s Catastrophe and Climate Strategic Research Program Steering Committee (CCPSC) is seeking researchers or a team of researchers to perform a study which captures past trends and projects future trends of impacts of perils. While the researchers should focus on geographic regions in North America and/or more specifically in the United States due to this research being market-dependent, the process should be transferable as described to other geographic areas. The research team should specify which regions and perils they propose to study. The research’s future predictions should be done under the IPCC Climate Scenarios.

7. (Closed Call for Research) Economic Impact of Increasing Severe Weather Events and Climate Trends Society of Actuaries (SOA). 2020.

   The SOA’s Catastrophe and Climate Strategic Research Program Steering Committee (CCPSC) is seeking a researcher or a team of researchers to perform a study under defined future scenarios, discuss the implications on affected parties and quantify the costs associated with changing severe weather events.