What is climate risk and how is it assessed in the company

Climate risk represents the potential economic, financial, and operational impacts that climate change can have on an organization. It is divided into two main categories: physical risks, which are direct damages caused by extreme events (such as floods, fires, or droughts) or chronic changes (rising sea levels, desertification); and transition risks, related to adapting to a low-emission economy, including new environmental regulations, technological innovations, and changes in market demand. The relevance of these risks is now integrated into investors' decision-making processes and credit assessments by banks and financial intermediaries, according to the EBA guidelines (EBA/GL/2020/06).

The assessment of climate risk is increasingly central to key sectors of the economy. In the agri-food sector, it is crucial for those who manage fragmented and distant supply chains, such as cocoa or coffee, often exposed to extreme events. In the infrastructure sector, it allows monitoring the vulnerability of assets in the territory. Real estate uses it to guide investments toward areas less prone to climate risks. The financial sector employs it to estimate the risk exposure of companies seeking financing. In this context, tools like XNatura offer advanced support: they integrate geolocated climate data and IPCC scenarios to calculate environmental risk indices, assess the evolution over time, and define priority mitigation strategies on a single asset or portfolio scale.

The transition risk is linked to the company's ability to adapt to changes required by environmental regulations and ecological transition. It is primarily calculated based on the ATECO code, enriched with accurate and verified information, and considers multiple factors: exposure to European regulations such as the EU taxonomy, dependence on polluting technologies, greenhouse gas emission intensity, and the potential environmental impact of the activity performed. The analysis also takes into account any reputational risk, especially in sectors with high visibility or environmental impact. This risk is also expressed on a scale from 0 to 4, with the aim of anticipating issues and facilitating the adoption of sustainable strategies.

Integrating climate risk assessment into corporate decision-making processes is now a strategic choice to strengthen business resilience. Anticipating exposure to climatic events allows for the adoption of effective mitigation measures, such as geographical diversification of activities, adoption of resilient technologies or infrastructure adjustments. Analyzing these risks also helps protect operational continuity, reduce potential economic losses, and optimize resource allocation. Companies that take a proactive approach are better prepared to face complex and rapidly changing scenarios, thereby improving their solidity, credibility, and market attractiveness over time.

This article was created as part of the "Biodiversity services EU expansion" project (CUP: E43D22000480009) under the call by Regione Lombardia "PR FESR 2021-2027 – LINEA INTERNAZIONALIZZAZIONE 21-27", aimed at supporting the internationalization of Italian companies. 3Bee is the naturetech company that develops innovative technologies for monitoring, protecting, and regenerating biodiversity, supporting companies in defining customized climate strategies based on analysis of their impacts and dependencies on nature. With a consolidated portfolio in Italy, Germany, and France and significant partnerships, 3Bee continues its expansion into international markets to create a concrete impact through technology.