Applying the principles of enterprise risk management, we believe that four pillars set the foundation for good climate resiliency governance:
- Leadership
- Integration
- Resources
- Communication
A Climate Resiliency Governence Framework
Organization leadership should support the framework in writing, in the form of corporate policy. The policy is only meaningful if it reflects and integrates with the organization’s existing mix of policies and procedures, both written and unwritten. Once in place, staff will judge the organization’s commitment based on the appropriate allocation of resources. Are there sufficient personnel, and budgets to successfully implement actions under the framework. Finally, the ultimate success of the program is only as successful as the awareness of the program’s progress. Communication should flow around the organization, up the corporate ladder, down the ladder, and across departments.
Establishing the framework need not be a costly exercise. However, it requires some organizational self-reflection best done at the senior levels.
Framework Criteria
The framework should establish the metrics used to monitor progress. It should set criteria that define the level of risk the organization will tolerate, retain, treat or transfer. These criteria set the foundation for vulnerability and risk assessment and the treatment options that derive from this work.
Without criteria, climate resiliency is nebulous. How do we measure success? Organizations base success on concrete metrics that staff can use to justify resiliency work. Equally as important, criteria can flag treatment options that do not directly address corporate objectives that the organization should not implement.
All too often, organizations dive into detailed climate risk assessment work without first considering their climate resiliency governance framework – their objectives. The risk assessment work stands in isolation from the rest of the corporate objectives. Staff view the assessment as a stand-alone project and it often fades into obscurity over time. This process represents a waste of corporate resources, time and money. Better, once the organization has a firm understanding of what they wish to achieve in climate resiliency, they can pragmatically allocate resources towards those objectives. The organization can tailor the risk assessment process to meet these objectives. Leadership can allocate resources confident that they are spending money on mandated cooperate priorities.
We Can Work with You
We have worked with organizations to establish these policies and can help you. The framework must belong to you, and reflect your organizational needs. We will work with you to articulate those criteria and can then help you formulate a climate resiliency framework that works for you.
Please feel free to reach out to us to discuss your organizational policy development needs.