On October 5, 2023, the University of Reading hosted a Climate and Finance Conference that served as a platform for researchers to explore the intersection of climate change and finance. The event, held both in person at the ICMA Centre – Henley Business School and online, was an initiative to promote joint research efforts.
The conference, started with a warm welcome by Professor Adrian Bell, Research Dean for Prosperity and Resilience, setting the stage for a rich and insightful program.
The morning kicked off with a session chaired by Professor Varotto, where researchers addressed the integration of nature-climate scenarios into financial decision-making (Professor Tom Oliver, Research Dean for Environment) and explored the relationship between environmental performance and credit ratings (Professor Emese Lazar and Dr Shixuan Wang). The discussions extended to meteorology and its impact on finance, with insightful talks on windstorm loss models (Dr Dhirendra Kumar) and innovative flood impact mitigation strategies (Helen Hooker). This session included presentations on the economic effect of climate change on Indigenous communities (Dr Oscar Martínez-Alvarado) and on the assessment of climate resilience in infrastructure systems (Professor Irem Dikmen).
After a brief break, the second session, led by Professor Len Shaffrey, delved into the role of Earth observation and sustainable finance (Professor Christopher J. Merchant), emphasizing the significance of satellite-based services in climate action (Krupa Nanda Kumar). The session also examined the transition from physical climate impacts to systemic risks (Professor Nigel Arnell), modelling the evolving impact of weather variability on electricity prices (Alan Yates), and the importance of climate adaptation disclosure (Alessio Venturini).
The conference concluded with a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Professor Shaffrey, featuring prominent experts from various fields (Professor Adrian Bell, Dr Georgi Slavov, Dr Maria Noguer and Professor Emily Black). During the panel discussion, critical questions were raised. These included identifying knowledge gaps and the University of Reading’s distinctive contributions. The need for enhanced interdisciplinary communication to understand climate’s impact on finance emerged as a key theme. The discussion also emphasized the importance of external engagement with the finance sector, such as collaborating with firms and regulators. Finally, the panel explored future steps, including funding opportunities and research partnerships. These inquiries exemplify the conference’s commitment to advancing climate and finance research through collaboration and knowledge exchange.