Managing climate-related risks
We measure, manage and monitor climate-related risks in order to keep prices stable and banks safe.
Why do climate-related risks matter for the ECB?
Climate change affects the way that our economy functions
This happens as a result of two types of risk:
- the physical risks of a changing climate, including more frequent or severe weather events like flooding, droughts and storms
- the transition risks from moving towards a carbon-neutral economy
These risks impact macroeconomic indicators such as inflation, economic growth, financial stability and monetary policy transmission. They also affect the value and risk profile of the assets on the Eurosystem balance sheet.
Climate change matters for our work as a central bank and supervisor
We need to account for the influence of climate change on the work we do to maintain price and financial stability. This means incorporating considerations of climate change into our
analysis and decision-making
macroeconomic models, projections, and scenarios
financial stability assessment
monetary policy analysis and transmission
risk management framework
Measuring and monitoring these risks is also important for us in safeguarding the safety and soundness of the euro area banking sector and entire financial system. It is our responsibility to make sure that banks can detect, manage and disclose risks properly, including those resulting from climate change.
We also need to manage climate-related risks in our own portfolios.
What is the ECB doing to manage climate-related risks?
We adjust our monetary policy operations
We improve our risk assessment capabilities, which includes managing climate risk exposures on the Eurosystem balance sheet and assessing how the credit ratings we use account for climate change. We also account for the influence of climate change in our monetary policy implementation framework where appropriate. This covers our asset purchases and collateral framework.
Press releaseWe conduct climate stress testing and assess climate-related financial risks
We run stress tests on the Eurosystem balance sheet, the banks we supervise and the wider economy. This helps us and others understand and manage exposure to climate-related risks, as well as other related systemic risks to the financial system. This way, we can make more informed decisions.
We enhance our modelling and data
We have published an initial set of climate-related indicators to improve the quality and availability of climate data. In addition, we improve our modelling to assess the impact of climate change on our economy.
Climate-related indicatorsWe ensure banks manage climate-related risk
In our role as banking supervisor, we ensure that banks have a safe and prudent approach to identifying, assessing and managing climate-related and environmental risks, and that they transparently disclose the risks they are exposed to.
Climate change and banking supervisionSEE ALSO
Find out more
Our climate action
Our climate agenda details all ongoing climate-related work at the ECB, grouped into six priority areas and based on our three strategic climate objectives.
ECB climate agenda