Banking regs release climate-related risk management framework

Federal banking regulators issued a long-promised framework that provides guidance on the safe and sound management of climate-related financial risks at large banks.

The Federal Reserve Board, Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation published the framework Tuesday for banks with more than $100 billion in assets.

The regulators said large banks are “likely to be affected” by both physical and transitional risks posed by climate change. Physical risks include climate change-induced weather events, such as floods, droughts, or other natural disasters. Transitional risks cover risks posed to banks as markets react to changes caused by climate change, like the increase in clean energy production or new climate-related regulation or laws that affect banks’ bottom lines.