EDHEC Infra & Private Assets Contributes Key Insights at AlterCOP29 on Resilience and Adaptation
On November 13, 2024 Nistha Manocha, PhD (Senior Research Engineer, ESG) and Qinyu Goh, (Sustainability Data Scientist) represented the EDHEC Infra & Private Assets Institute at AlterCOP29 in Singapore. Speaking as part of the thematic day focused on Resilience and Adaptation, their expert session, “The True Cost of Climate Change on Private Assets,” explored how we can effectively and systematically quantify climate risks for infrastructure assets and build resilience into these critical systems.
Advancing Sustainable Solutions
AlterCOP29 is a key forum for advancing global discussions on sustainability and climate change. It features live updates on COP29 proceedings, expert analyses, and grassroots perspectives. Hosted by The Matcha Initiative and The Transmutation Principle, the event brought together sustainability professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to share actionable insights on resilience, mitigation, and adaptation.
The EDHEC Contribution
During their presentation, Nishtha Manocha and Qinyu Goh delved into the financial and operational risks of climate change on private infrastructure assets. They showcased a data-driven approach that equips asset owners and managers with actionable insights to navigate these challenges effectively. Key topics included:
- Quantifying Climate Risk: Demonstrating methods to systematically evaluate the exposure of infrastructure assets to climate risks, integrating physical and transition risk considerations.
- Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resilience Strategies: A first-of-its-kind database offering detailed insights into decarbonization and resilience measures. This resource empowers stakeholders with data on the effectiveness, costs, and financial implications of various strategies to drive impactful investments.
- Climate Risk Rating: Highlighting the need for systematic, objective and comparable assessment to guide infrastructure investors in managing climate risks effectively.
The speakers underscored the critical importance of incorporating robust data and analysis into decision-making processes to drive climate-resilient investment strategies. Their session illustrated how EDHEC’s research and innovative approaches offer actionable pathways to address the challenges of climate adaptation while advancing sustainable growth.
“Infrastructure sits at the center of the climate challenge—simultaneously contributing to global emissions and bearing the brunt of climate risks. Addressing this dual role requires a robust framework that not only quantifies these risks systematically and objectively but also assesses the cost of implementing solutions versus the consequences of inaction. Investors need scientifically robust, comparable data to make informed decisions that drive meaningful impact”, says Nishtha Manocha.
“The need for resilience and adaptation has never been more critical as we face a rapidly changing climate. During the session, we shared insights on quantifying climate risk from a financial perspective and how we can integrate resilience measures effectively. By demonstrating practical approaches to assess and mitigate climate risks, our hope is to inspire greater financial investments in resilience strategies, paving the way for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.”, says Qinyu Goh.
Driving the Dialogue Forward
As part of the wider discussions at AlterCOP29, Dr. Nishtha Manocha and Qinyu Goh joined thought leaders and changemakers to emphasize the urgency of addressing climate risks. Their insights reflected EDHEC’s commitment to equipping stakeholders with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of climate risk while fostering a resilient, sustainable future.
- For more information on AlterCOP29, visit the AlterCOP29 Official Website
- For more information on EDHECInfra & Private Assets’ latest research on climate finance, please visit: https://sipametrics.com/research/climate-risk/