FSB Publishes Status Report on Adoption of TCFD Disclosures Framework

The report reviews FSB efforts to promote adoption of the TCFD disclosure framework and reviews the disclosures that hundreds of companies have already made, demonstrating that it is both practical and useful for companies to do so. This report also provides perspectives from users that are expected to prove helpful in guiding companies that are just beginning the process of disclosing climate risks. TCFD found that a majority of companies assessed were already disclosing aligned with one or more of the TCFD recommendations, even though companies implementing the recommendations in their 2017 reports have had a limited amount of time to take on-board the TCFD recommendations. The following are the key findings from the TCFD survey of disclosures of over 1,700 firms from diverse sectors with broad geographical representation:

• The majority of the firms surveyed disclose information aligned with at least one of the TCFD recommended disclosures.

• While many companies describe climate-related risks and opportunities, few disclose the financial impact of climate change on the company.

• A minority of companies disclose forward-looking climate targets or the resilience of their strategies under different climate-related scenarios, including a 2°C or lower scenario, which is a key area of focus for TCFD.

• Disclosures vary widely across industries. For example, more non-financial companies reported their climate-related metrics and targets, compared to the financial companies. However, financial companies were more likely to disclose how they had embedded climate risk into overall risk management.

• Disclosures are often made in sustainability reports or spread across financial filings, annual and sustainability reports.

TCFD announced that the number of firms supporting its recommendations has grown to over 500, compared to 100 firms when the recommendations were launched in June 2017. The supporters include the world’s largest banks, asset managers, and pension funds that are responsible for assets of nearly USD 100 trillion. The status report is based on companies’ 2017 financial filings and demonstrates the practical, decision-useful nature of the recommendations. FSB has asked the TCFD to publish the next status report in June 2019, which will allow for analysis of disclosures made in 2018 financial reports.

Related Links

• Press Release
• Status Report (PDF)

Keywords: International, Banking, Insurance, Securities, Climate Related Risks, Disclosures, TCFD, FSB