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Financial Services Law Insights and Observations

Fed and Treasury address climate change risks

Federal Issues Climate-Related Financial Risks Federal Reserve Department of Treasury Bank Regulatory

Federal Issues

On October 7, Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard spoke at the Federal Reserve Stress Testing Research Conference discussing the impacts of climate change on economic activity. Brainard revealed that the Fed is considering the potential implications of climate-related risks for financial institutions and the financial system and emphasized that scenario analysis is emerging as a possible key analytical tool. Regarding the climate scenario analysis, Brainard noted that climate change’s future financial and economic consequences depends on the physical effects and the nature and speed of the transition to a sustainable economy. She highlighted the importance of “model[ing] the transition risks arising from changes in policies, technology, and consumer and investor behavior and the physical risks of damages caused by an increase in the frequency and severity of climate-related events as well as chronic changes, such as rising temperatures and sea levels.” Brainard also discussed opportunities to learn from other countries' use of climate scenario analysis and overcoming the challenges in implementing climate scenario analysis, noting that “climate scenario analysis may need to consider interdependencies across the financial system,” among other things. Brainard added that she anticipates that it will be useful “to provide supervisory guidance for large banking institutions in their efforts to appropriately measure, monitor, and manage material climate-related risks, following the lead of a number of other countries.”

The same day, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the Treasury Climate Action Plan, which is directed by Executive Order 14008 and Treasury’s efforts to support adaptation and increase resilience of its facilities and operations to the impacts of climate change. Among other things, the plan establishes five priority action areas, including: (i) rebuilding stagnated programs and capabilities; (ii) addressing climate change vulnerabilities across Treasury operations; (iii) ensuring a climate-focused approach to managing Treasury’s real property portfolio footprint; (iv) enabling management to fully consider climate change realities; and (v) accounting for a financial investment approach appropriate to Treasury’s climate objectives. In addition to the priority areas, Treasury will utilize the data and science of climate change to adjust policies, programs, and activities in improving its resilience to climate risks and impacts, according to the announcement.