Skip to main content

Podcast

Risk in Context Podcast: Collaboration critical to resolve climate-related systemic risks

The wide-ranging impacts of climate change underscore the importance for businesses and authorities to focus on adaptation and take actions to build resilience.

From major storms and floods, to water shortages, and extreme heat events, the impacts of climate change are being felt by communities and businesses in many parts of the world, devastating people’s lives, disrupting supply chains, and interrupting business operations. The wide-ranging impacts of climate change underscore the importance for businesses and authorities to focus on adaptation and take actions to build resilience.

While there is recognition of the impact of climate-related hazards, Marsh’s recently released Corporate Climate Adaptation Survey suggests that many businesses do not view climate adaptation as a current concern, but rather an issue for the future. Although the lack of standardised methods to measure resilience could negatively impact the way different entities collaborate and insufficient and incomplete data may impact organisations’ ability to take action, there is urgency to address climate change-related risks.

In this episode of Risk in Context, Amy Barnes, Marsh’s Head of Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy, talks with Gerardo Herrera, Head of Climate and Sustainability Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean and Head of Marsh Advisory for the region, about some of the climate-related challenges and opportunities businesses in the region are facing. They also discuss findings from Marsh’s recently released Corporate Climate Adaptation Survey, share learnings from this year’s Climate Week NYC, and look ahead to this month’s COP16.

Apple Podcast Spotify Podcast
Download transcript

Key takeaways

Integrate climate actions into business strategies

Organisations should consider embedding actions intended to improve climate resilience into their growth strategies and business continuity plans, allowing them to be better prepared to handle the impacts of climate change on their operations and supply chains.

Multi-stakeholder collaboration is critical

Industry peers, government entities, and community leaders must collaborate to develop effective climate adaptation strategies and promote sustainable solutions that enable a more comprehensive and effective management of climate risks.

Broaden risk assessments to system-level risks

Beyond assessing the impact of climate risks on owned assets, business leaders should expand their focus to include system-level risks, including impacts on critical infrastructure and supply chains as well as their people and communities, allowing them to enhance overall resilience.

About our speakers

Amy Barnes

Amy Barnes

Head of Climate & Sustainability Strategy

  • Global

Amy Barnes heads Marsh’s climate and sustainability strategy. Prior to this she held a number of leadership roles with Marsh’s global energy, power, and renewables business. She has a respected depth and breadth of experience assisting some of the largest and most complex companies manage risks.

Gerardo Herrera

Gerardo Herrera

Latin America Region Leader, Marsh Advisory

  • Colombia

Gerardo Herrera is the Head of Climate and Sustainability Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean and Head of Marsh Advisory for the region. Based in Colombia, he is a seasoned expert in risk management and corporate governance. In addition to his role at Marsh, he is actively involved in corporate governance, serving as the Chairman of the Procapitales Corporate Governance Committee and co-director of the Latin America Corporate Governance Institutes Network. He is also a guest professor at various universities across Latin America and a member of several risk management think tanks.

Related insights