The Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) is sounding the alarm on climate risks, warning that UK banks and insurers are unprepared for the storms ahead—both literal and financial. With rising temperatures and erratic weather threatening economic stability, the PRA’s new proposals, outlined in a Consultation Paper open until 30 July 2025, aim to overhaul how firms manage climate-related dangers. The plan? Stronger frameworks, sharper tools, and a clear path to resilience.

A Wake-Up Call for Finance

Climate change isn’t just melting ice caps—it’s rattling balance sheets. The PRA’s review found that most UK banks and insurers are still in the early stages of tackling climate risks. “Firms have made progress, but their capabilities to identify and manage climate-related risk are still at an early stage,” said David Bailey, the BoE’s Executive Director of Prudential Policy. Many banks don’t even see climate change as a major threat, a risky oversight the PRA says lacks solid evidence. Insurers, meanwhile, often use vague metrics that fail to pin down real financial impacts.

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Tools to Tame the Storm

The PRA’s proposals push for precision. Banks and insurers must now run detailed scenario analyses to map out how climate shocks could hit their portfolios. They’ll need clear climate risk appetites—specific limits on exposure that boards review regularly. Data governance is another cornerstone: firms must plug data gaps and ensure the numbers they rely on, especially from external sources, hold up under scrutiny. A 2024 PRA survey showed 68% of banks lack robust climate risk metrics, a gap these rules aim to close.

On the Ground in Finance

At the heart of the effort are people like Sarah Khan, a risk manager at a major UK bank. “We’re rethinking how we assess everything—from loans to investments,” she said. Her team is testing scenarios where floods or policy shifts disrupt markets, using models inspired by the Basel Committee. Across the sector, firms are hiring climate specialists and leaning on global standards, like those from the Network for Greening the Financial System, to stay ahead. A 2023 ISSB report suggests that better disclosures alone could cut mispriced climate risks by 15%.

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A Global Ripple Effect

Climate risks don’t stop at borders, and neither do the PRA’s ambitions. The proposals align with international efforts, like the UN’s Paris Agreement and the Minamata Convention’s push for sustainability. By strengthening UK firms, the PRA hopes to set a benchmark for global finance. “A resilient financial system can withstand climate shocks and support a smoother transition to net zero,” Bailey noted. The stakes are high: a 2024 BoE study estimates that unaddressed climate risks could shave 10% off UK GDP by 2050.

Beyond the Balance Sheet

This isn’t just about protecting profits—it’s about safeguarding communities. Stronger climate risk rules could unlock jobs in green finance and clean tech, while ensuring firms can support customers through turbulent times. “The climate challenge is a chance to build something better,” Khan said. Small steps, like investing in sustainable funds or demanding better disclosures, can amplify the impact.

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