Climate risk as a key risk for the energy sector

Abstract

The ongoing energy transition is irreversibly changing the nature and functioning of the energy sector and emerging new types of risks, with climate risk standing out in particular, being a result of the EU’s energy and climate policy as well as global trends related to sustainable development. The materialisation of climate risk gives rise to a number of mutually interpenetrating new types of risk, among which financial, regulatory and social risks can be distinguished. Climate risk also manifests itself in the performance of the EU ETS CO2 emissions trading scheme, as well as in weather risks. The purpose of this paper is to define accurately the types of risk affecting the activities of energy entities and to indicate the impact of climate risk on them. The methods used in this research are literature review and data analysis. Climate risk is therefore an accelerator of new risks in the electric power sector and should thus be duly taken into account and mitigated, as ignoring it can have serious consequences. Hence, climate risk management is becoming one of the key elements of risk management across the energy sector. Decisions made by energy companies in line with the sustainable development paradigm will catalyse their growth and allow them to increase their value.