Climate Change Risk
Self-Assessment Guide
1
Awareness
We know that the MENA region will face increased threats from droughts,
heatwaves, floods, and sea-level rise. If you’re interested in learning more, you
can access advanced information here.
2
Hazard Evaluation
With the knowledge above, you’re ready to begin identifying which threats
represent the biggest hazards for your business. This can be done by completing
the checklist on the page 2.
3
Vulnerability Evaluation
After analyzing the main threats and understanding the hazards that you face, the
next step is to evaluate how vulnerable you are; how resilient and prepared you
are for these hazards, complete the checklist on page 3.
4
Risk Evaluation
After analyzing the threats you face, and how vulnerable you are, you can calculate
how at-risk your business is from climate change on page 4. While this is not a fully-
comprehensive approach, it is a perfect starting point for all businesses.
Advanced – Research-Based Location Specific Evaluation
5
Every country develops its own analysis of how climate change will impact it. You
can look for your country’s document, called a National Communication, here. Or
you can search online or consult local authorities on “climate change projections”,
which analyze the impacts of climate change on each country over specific periods
Optional
of time. This will give you a specific look at how climate change will affect different
parts of every country.
2
Hazard Evaluation Checklist
Has this affected you
Main Threat Description Is/does your business…
previously?
Have employees and in-store customers
Heatwaves
Prolonged period Have outdoor operations or services
of abnormally hot weather Use air-conditioning or refrigeration
Have food storage
Located in a densely populated area - city
Flashfloods
Located near a river or body of water
Sudden local flood, usually
from heavy rain over a Located in a low-lying area
short period of time
Depend on transportation and road infrastructure
Depend on electricity
Drought Depend on agriculture and food products
Prolonged dry period and
lack of rain, causing water Need water to be available
shortage and dryness
Located near vegetation, shrubs, and trees
Sea Level Rise
Increased sea levels and
Have coastal facilities, are you located near the ocean or
instances of storm surges
sea
and tides
How to • Answer the questions above Hazard Factor
evaluate • For every (YES), add one point
hazards • Input the total in the box on the right
3
Vulnerability Evaluation Checklist
Category Does your business have…
Backup power generators
Infrastructure Water storage tanks
Emergency equipment (first aid, fire extinguishers)
Water insulation on the roof
Weatherproofed windows, doors, walls
Higher elevation than the street it is on, extra steps, ramp, etc.
Business insurance that covers natural disasters
Health insurance for employees
Operations
Have funds available to remain operational in case of business disruption
Local suppliers and backup suppliers
Local proximity to emergency response (hospitals, fire stations, civil defense)
Emergency response plan
Staff trained on handling emergencies
How to • Answer the questions above Vulnerability Factor
evaluate • For every (NO), add one point
vulnerability • Input the total in the box on the right
4
To calculate the risk that your business faces from climate change, add the threat factor
How to to the vulnerability factor and see where your business lands on the scale below.
Calculate Risk
Hazard Factor + Vulnerability Factor = Risk
0 – Low Risk 15 – High Risk 30 – Extreme Risk
Businesses falling between the high and extreme risk of the spectrum need to begin taking immediate measures
to address climate change and adapt to it, as delaying such measures will put them at risk of potential damage,
business disruption, and loss of revenue. Taking simple measures to adapt to climate change is highly advisable
and easy to implement.
Important note: This approach to evaluating your business’s risk to climate change is not fully comprehensive, and there
are so many more elements to take into account. However, understanding these components is an important first step for
any business to evaluate how much climate change can impact it, its operations, staff and customers, and future
sustainability and profitability.
There is so much more you can do, by working with local authorities, learning more, and working with fellow businesses
to further understand risks and vulnerabilities, to build your business’s climate resilience.
Begin the next step of taking concrete measures to adapt to climate change and increase your business’s climate resilience.