Government subcommittee report examines climate change impact on U.S. financial system

Managing Climate Risk in the U.S. Financial System, unanimously approved by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Climate-Related Market Risk Subcommittee, is the first-of-its-kind effort from a U.S. government entity. The report, which presents 53 recommendations, concludes that climate change poses a major risk to the stability of the U.S. financial system and to its ability to sustain the American economy.  

Jeff Dukes, director of Purdue’s Climate Change Research Center and a professor of forestry and natural resources and biological sciences, served on the 34-member committee and explained the importance of the report.

“I think this is the most important government report on climate change in a long time. If our financial markets do a good job of pricing the risks from climate change, then our society is much more likely to address the problem,” Dukes said.

Dukes, one of a few academic experts who joined with professionals from the financial and commodity sectors to write the report, praised the committee’s unanimous response.

“All of these people voted unanimously to adopt a report that calls for putting a price on carbon

and for helping financial markets account for the risks associated with climate change. Our financial system has been built to price in risks and minimize the damage from sudden shocks, but it hasn’t done a good job of pricing or planning for climate change. This report shows how that could and should be done,” Dukes said.

Featured Stories

Marisol Sepúlveda, professor of forestry and natural resources, speaks at the front of her class on One Health topics.
Applying One Health in the Classroom

Marisol Sepúlveda, professor of forestry and natural resources, created a new course for...

Read More
close up of pink poinsettia flower
Pampering your poinsettia and crafting poinsettia plant pressings after the holidays

White snow, twinkling lights, brass menorahs, Kwanzaa unity cups and a red-and-green potted...

Read More
Students in the ANSC 360 Product Show stand behind display tables, offering samples of value-added meat products and speaking with attendees in the lobby of Creighton Hall.
ANSC 360 Product Show highlights meat innovation

ANSC 360 students showcased value-added meat products during their product show.

Read More
Young girl grocery shopping with father.
Food survey shows consumer perceptions during government shutdown

The household food insecurity rate posted the largest increase so far this year, rising from...

Read More
Blaine Wagner poses with laboratory equipment
Driven by curiosity: Blaine's journey in biochemistry

For Blaine Wagner, growing up in Greensburg, Indiana, meant being surrounded by agriculture. He...

Read More
Purdue Top Farmer Conference 2025
2026 Top Farmer Conference explores global competitiveness, tariffs, long-run market outlooks

Registration is now open for Purdue University’s annual Top Farmer Conference, one of the...

Read More