Key Insight

👉 More data does not mean better decisions—better interpretation does

Many Asian companies struggle not because tools are unavailable, but because:

• Tools are too complex for current capability
• Data is not translated into business insights
• Scenario analysis is disconnected from decision-making 

As climate risk assessment evolves, companies are increasingly expected to move beyond static risk identification toward forward-looking scenario analysis.

However, one of the biggest challenges—especially in Asia—is not the lack of tools.

👉 It is knowing which tools to use, and when.

Before diving into advanced tools, it is critical to understand one thing:

Scenario analysis is not the starting point.

It builds on a solid foundation of physical climate risk assessment.

If you have not yet done this, start here: → Physical Climate Risk Assessment for Beginners: Step-by-Step Guide for Asian Businesses (Part 1)

 →How to Conduct a Physical Climate Risk Assessment (Part 2): From Risk Scoring to Action for Asian Companies

This earlier guides cover:

• Scope
• Hazard 
• Exposure
• Sensitivity
• Risk scoring (Exposure × Sensitivity)
• Translating risks into business impact
• Identifying mitigation actions

👉 Without these steps, scenario analysis often becomes disconnected from real business decisions.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is designed for:

• SMEs in Asia starting climate risk assessment
• ESG consultants building their first scenario analysis
• Companies preparing for disclosures aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

👉 Get more pratical ESG guides and Asia-focused insights This series is designed to move beyond theory into real business applications.

Your Climate Risk Journey

Think of climate analysis as a progression:

1. Physical risk assessment → Identify, assess, and prioritize risks
2. Business impact and mitigation → Make risk decisions-useful
3. Scenario analysis (this stage) → Understand how risks evolve over time

Skipping ahead often leads to complex analysis with limited practical value.

Understanding the Tool Landscape

Climate scenario tools generally fall into three categories:

1. Raw Climate Data Platforms

• Highly technical
• Provide climate variables (temperature, rainfall, extreme events)
• Require modeling expertise

2. Processed Datasets and Reports

• Pre-analyzed insights
• Easier to interpret
• Useful for ESG reporting

3. Commercial Tools

• Business-oriented
• Translate climate data into operational or financial impacts
• Often user-friendly but paid

The goal is not to use everything, but to use the right level of complexity for your stage

Level 1: Practical / Business-Ready Tools (Beginner-Friendly)

These tools are designed for decision-makers, not climate scientists.

They translate scenario data into business impact and risk exposure.

Zurich Climate Spotlight (Asia Pacific)

An interactive platform designed for businesses and cities.

• Visualizes exposure to risks like heat, floods, and storms
• Allows multi-location comparison
• Offers both self-service and expert-supported versions

Best for:

• Corporates
• SMEs starting scenario analysis
• Multi-site risk comparison

Difficulty level: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (Easy–Moderate)

ClimateAi

A data-driven platform linking climate scenarios to business performance.

• Combines climate and economic data
• Projects impacts on supply chains and operations
• Strong in agriculture and manufacturing use cases

Best for:

• Supply chain analysis
• Scenario-based business planning

Difficulty level: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Moderate)

👉 If you want more practical ESG frameworks and Asia-focused insights,subscribe to ESG Atlas Asia.

Level 2: Intermediate / Interpreted Data (Consultant-Friendly)

These sources translate complex climate data into structured insights, making them more accessible for ESG practitioners.

State of the Climate in Asia – World Meteorological Organization

An annual report summarizing observed and projected climate trends.

• Covers temperature, extreme events, and sectoral impacts
• Provides regional insights without requiring modeling
• Useful for contextualizing risks in ESG reports

Best for:

• ESG reporting
• Market and risk context analysis

Difficulty level: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (Moderate)

NGFS-aligned Data Platforms (via World Bank and others)

Widely used by financial institutions.

• Provides standardized climate scenarios (e.g. orderly vs disorderly transition)
• Often linked to physical and transition risk datasets
• Increasingly referenced in regulatory and investor expectations

Best for:

• Banks and financial institutions
• Scenario-based ESG analysis

Difficulty level: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Moderate–High)

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Provides accessible summaries of climate projections in Southeast Asia.

• Focus on temperature and precipitation trends
• Translates technical scenarios into readable insights

Best for:

• Early-stage analysis
• ESG education and training

Difficulty level: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (Moderate)

Level 3: Advanced / Technical Tools (Expert Use)

These tools provide raw or semi-processed climate scenario data. They are powerful—but require technical expertise in climate science or data analysis.

AP-PLAT (Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Platform)

Developed by the National Institute for Environmental Studies

One of the most comprehensive regional platforms for Asia.

• Provides downscaled datasets (CMIP3, CMIP5, ISIMIP, d4PDF)
• Covers multiple climate variables (temperature, rainfall, etc.)
• Allows map visualization and raw data downloads

Best for:

• Researchers
• Advanced ESG consultants
• Impact modeling

Difficulty level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High)

CORDEX South Asia (CCCR-IITM)

A regional dataset focused on South Asia, with high-resolution projections.

• ~50 km resolution climate projections
• Includes daily outputs under RCP scenarios
• Strong for analyzing monsoon variability and extreme events

Best for:

• Climate scientists
• Sector-specific modeling (e.g. agriculture, water)

Difficulty level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High)

Southeast Asia Regional Modeling (PRECIS / SEACAM)

A regional modeling initiative focused on Southeast Asia.

• High-resolution projections (~25 km)
• Long-term outlooks up to 2100
• Useful for understanding regional climate trends

Best for:

• Government agencies
• Academic or policy research

Difficulty level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High)

Quick Comparison: Which Tool Should You Use?

👉 Download FREE comprehensive Guide, Checklist, and Question bank for your risk assessment.

How to Choose the Right Tool

The biggest mistake companies make is jumping straight into complex tools.

Instead, align your choice with your ESG maturity level:

If you are just starting:

• Use WMO reports or APN summaries
• Combine with internal risk assessment

At this level, you should focus on understanding trends, not modeling

If you are building structured ESG analysis:

• Add NGFS scenarios
• Use tools like Climate Spotlight

Now, you can start linking scenarios to business impact

If you are doing advanced assessments:

• Use AP-PLAT, CORDEX, or regional models
• Integrate into financial or operational models

At this stage, you can focus on quantification and stress testing

References

1. AP‑PLAT (Asia‑Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Platform) 
2. Climate Change in Southeast Asia
3. Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research
4. CORDEX South Asia (CCCR‑IITM Climate Data Portal)
5. World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
6. Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS)
7. Asia‑Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN)
8. Zurich Climate Spotlight (Asia Pacific)
9. ClimateAi
10. Guidance on Physical Climate Risk Assessment
11. Tackling Climate Risk in Asia through AMRO and the NGFS – East Asia Forum
12. A Regional Climate Modelling Experiment for Southeast Asia