Development and Validation of Asset-Level Climate Risk and Financial Impact Modeling Frameworks

This project focuses on the development and validation of asset-level climate risk modeling frameworks for infrastructure and institutional portfolios. As climate-related hazards intensify, asset owners and financial institutions require forward-looking, decision-grade analytics that quantify physical risk under multiple climate scenarios. The project applies a structured hazard – exposure – vulnerability – loss framework, integrating geospatial analysis, scenario-based climate projections, and engineering-informed damage functions to generate asset-level risk metrics and financial impact estimates. The research will support the expansion and methodological validation of RESILIOCS’ modeling engine through improved spatial data harmonization, probabilistic hazard analysis, expected annual loss (EAL) estimation, and adaptation return-on-investment (ROI) calculations. Emphasis will be placed on analytical reproducibility, sensitivity testing, uncertainty documentation, and workflow formalization to ensure defensibility for institutional use. The outcome will be a strengthened and validated climate risk modeling framework capable of supporting infrastructure resilience planning, portfolio risk assessment, and capital allocation decisions. This applied research contributes to advancing quantitative climate risk analytics while bridging engineering-grade modeling with financial decision-support applications.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kenneth Owen

Student:

Partner:

Resilio Climate Solutions

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McMaster University

Program: