Skip to contentSkip to search

Climate-related physical risk

Physical risks can be acute, such as severe floods or storms, or chronic, such as sustained changes in temperature or water availability. Assess how the exposure could affect the entity’s operations, supply chain, assets and financial prospects over relevant time horizons. IFRS S2 addresses material climate-related disclosures, including resilience analysis using an approach appropriate to the entity’s circumstances. Physical risk differs from transition risk arising from shifts in policy, technology, markets or reputation.

Worked example

A food producer’s main site is exposed to recurring flooding. Management assesses production downtime, insurance costs, relocation options and potential effects on future cash flows, then evaluates which information is material to primary users.

Common mistake

Confusing a flood or heat hazard with a transition risk, or reporting the hazard without explaining its implications for the entity.

Where it appears in your exams

QualificationExamRelationshipPeriod
ACCA FR Supporting September 2026–June 2027
ACCA SBR Direct September 2026–June 2027