Climate change will affect more than 90% of big businesses

• Many big companies will lose 20% of one asset due to global warming.
• Climate change is raising stakes for investors, and business decision-makers.
• By the 2050s increased water stress and extreme heat will cause most chaos.

New data from a unit of S&P Global has shown that more than 90% of big businesses and companies will be terribly affected by the effects of climate change and a hotter planet.

Over a third of these companies, data predicts, will lose at least 20% of one asset due to global warming. Companies may have their warehouses or data centres attacked by wildfires or floods. 

Climate change is raising the stakes for investors as well as business decision-makers.

The tool S&P Global Sustainable1 which showed these findings is guided by The Climate Service.

Climate change will also affect the stock market, as a result. "Close to 10% of the S&P 500’s SPX, -1.13% total assets would be financially impacted," wrote MarketWatch's news editor Rachel Koning Beals.

By the 2050s, she reported, increased water stress and extreme heat will cause the most chaos.

James McMahon, chief executive of The Climate Service, said that people were using advanced analytics more than ever to understand better how to respond to the financial impacts of climate change.

The data also increases awareness about the significance of timely data. The S&P Global Sustainable1 studies more than 870,000 corporate assets. Similar tools have been also launched by JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPM, Fitch Ratings and Morningstar Inc.MORN.

By the 2090s, 98% of companies are expected to feel the impact of climate hazards. If and when governments and private sectors join hands to reduce emissions, the share of large companies that have assets at higher risks could reduce by 20%.