· tools · 7 min read
Climate Risk Management: Open Data Tools & Services from UNEP, NASA, ESA, Copernicus, and IPCC
Explore open data for climate risk management with tools and services from UNEP, NASA, ESA, Copernicus, and IPCC. Learn how open data empowers climate risk assessment and adaptation.
Climate Risk Management: Open Data Tools & Services from UNEP, NASA, ESA, Copernicus, and IPCC
Effectively managing climate-related risks is now a cornerstone of long-term organizational resilience. As regulatory landscapes shift and the physical impacts of climate change intensify—floods, heatwaves, and extreme weather—businesses face growing threats to their operations, supply chains, and future viability. In this environment, open data tools and services have become indispensable, providing accessible, high-quality information to help organizations anticipate, assess, and address climate risks.
While regulatory requirements may ebb and flow, the need for robust climate risk management remains constant. Proactive adaptation and risk mitigation, informed by the best available data, are essential for navigating new market realities and safeguarding long-term success.
Yet, conducting meaningful climate risk assessments is not without its challenges. Many open data tools focus on visualizing spatial data—mapping the intensity and distribution of climate hazards. For some risks, such as extreme heat, this broad mapping is often sufficient for estimating impacts like increased sick days or public health costs. For others, like flood risk, the lack of granular, context-specific data (e.g., asset type, material vulnerability) can make precise loss estimation more complex.
A practical approach is to match the tool’s resolution and context to the risk at hand: the more general and widespread the risk, the more useful open spatial data becomes. Conversely, highly location- or asset-specific risks may require additional, detailed information. Still, for most organizations, the granularity offered by today’s leading open data tools is adequate to meet ESG compliance standards under frameworks like the EU Taxonomy, ESRS, and IFRS—at least for the risk assessment component.
Open data for climate risk is essential for accurate risk assessment and adaptation planning. Leading organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Copernicus Climate Change Service, NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provide authoritative climate data and tools that empower organizations worldwide.
This guide is based on research by Hannes Matt, Climate- and nature-related risk management expert at KPMG. For more insights on climate risk management, subscribe to his Climate Risk Intel newsletter.
Open Data Tools from Leading Climate Organizations
UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme
The World Environment Situation Room (WESR) by UNEP is a premier open data platform offering over 40 climate risk assessment tools and datasets for global climate risk management.
Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S)
The Copernicus Climate Data Store (CDS) provides up-to-date open data, climate information, analyses, and projections for Europe and the world, supporting climate risk assessment and adaptation.
NASA Earth Data
NASA Earth Data offers scientific-grade open data and satellite imagery for climate change research, monitoring, and risk assessment.
ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI)
The ESA CCI delivers high-quality satellite-based open climate datasets and analysis tools for climate risk management.
IPCC Interactive Atlas
The IPCC WG1 Interactive Atlas visualizes climate change projections and risk scenarios based on the latest IPCC reports, providing open access to authoritative climate risk data.
ENCORE
ENCORE is an essential tool for assessing climate and nature-related transition risks, impacts, and dependencies, supporting sustainable finance and risk management.
Climate TRACE
Climate TRACE is an open data tool for tracking global greenhouse gas emissions by country, sector, and facility, supporting climate risk management and transition analysis.
Strata
Strata provides comprehensive data and projections for climate-related physical risks, including heat waves, water stress, droughts, and floods.
UN Biodiversity Lab
The UN Biodiversity Lab offers tools and data for assessing nature-related physical risks, including biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
Global Infrastructure Risk Model (GIRI)
The Global Infrastructure Risk Model (GIRI) provides average annual losses (AAL) calculations by infrastructure category, supporting infrastructure vulnerability assessment to climate hazards.
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Understanding Climate Risk Management
Climate risk management isn’t just about compliance - it’s about ensuring business continuity and long-term viability. As climate change impacts intensify, organizations face increasing threats to their operations, supply chains, and overall business model. Understanding these risks, managing them proactively, and adapting strategically are crucial for long-term success.
Tool Comparison Table
| Tool | Focus | Features | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme | Global climate risk assessment | Over 40 climate risk assessment tools and datasets | Comprehensive global climate risk management |
| Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) | Climate data and projections | Up-to-date open data, climate information, analyses, and projections | Climate risk assessment and adaptation |
| NASA Earth Data | Scientific-grade Earth observation data | Satellite imagery visualization | Climate change research and monitoring |
| ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) | Satellite-based climate datasets | High-quality climate datasets and analysis tools | Climate risk management |
| IPCC Interactive Atlas | Climate change projections | Visualizes climate change projections and risk scenarios | Open access to authoritative climate risk data |
| ENCORE | Climate and nature-related transition risks | Impact and dependency analysis | Sustainable finance and risk management |
| Climate TRACE | Global greenhouse gas emissions tracking | GHG emissions tracking at company level | Climate risk management and transition analysis |
| Strata | Climate-related physical risks | Current risk data and projections under RCP and SSP climate scenarios | Assessing flood risk and other physical climate hazards |
| UN Biodiversity Lab | Nature-related physical risks | Current data visualization and analysis | Evaluating ecosystem resilience against climate change impacts |
| Global Infrastructure Risk Model (GIRI) | Infrastructure vulnerability to climate hazards | Average annual losses (AAL) calculations by infrastructure category | Assessing infrastructure risks across different climate hazards |
| World Environment Situation Room (WESR) | UN Environment Programme’s data and knowledge platform | Over 40 climate risk assessment tools | Comprehensive resource collection |
| Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) | European Commission’s climate intelligence suite | Up-to-date climate information and analyses | Climate Data Store access |
| NASA Earth Data | Scientific-grade Earth observation data | Satellite imagery visualization | Climate change research support |
| ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) | 45 research projects on satellite data | High-quality climate datasets | Processing systems for climate analysis |
Best Practices for Implementation
-
Start with Physical Risks
- Assess immediate threats to operations
- Evaluate supply chain vulnerabilities
- Identify critical infrastructure risks
-
Evaluate Transition Risks
- Analyze regulatory changes
- Assess market shifts
- Monitor technological developments
-
Integrate with Existing Systems
- Connect with enterprise risk management
- Align with sustainability reporting
- Incorporate into decision-making processes
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Getting Started
To begin using these tools effectively:
-
Identify Priority Risks
- Map your organization’s exposure
- Determine critical vulnerabilities
- Set risk assessment priorities
-
Select Appropriate Tools
- Match tools to specific risk categories
- Consider data resolution needs
- Evaluate technical requirements
-
Develop Implementation Plan
- Create assessment framework
- Establish monitoring systems
- Build response capabilities
Related Resources
- UNEP World Environment Situation Room (WESR)
- Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S)
- NASA Earth Data
- ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI)
- IPCC Interactive Atlas
- ENCORE
- Climate TRACE
- Strata
- UN Biodiversity Lab
- Global Infrastructure Risk Model (GIRI)
- Climate Risk Assessment Services
- AI Climate Risk Assessment Tools
- Expert ESG Consulting Services
- AI-Driven ESG Audit Toolchains
- AI Training and Workshops: Empowering Senior Sustainability Leaders
- Choosing the Right AI Tools for Sustainability: A Professional’s Guide
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This guide is based on research and analysis of available climate risk management tools by Hannes Matt, Climate- and nature-related risk management expert at KPMG. For specific implementation advice, please consult with climate risk management professionals. Subscribe to the Climate Risk Intel newsletter for regular updates on climate risk management tools and best practices.
Climate- and nature-related risk management expert at KPMG.
Curator of the Climate Risk Intel newsletter.
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