Turn Climate Screens into Spend You Can Defend 

 Globally, many real estate portfolios already run climate risk screens. Flood, wildfire, heat, and hurricanes light up the map. Then the questions land: now what? 

Which assets get capital? What happens next quarter? What can I actually do with this information? 

The truth is that screening is triage. It tells you where to look, not what to do. The next step is turning noisy outputs into asset-level calls and funded plans you can act on. 

Screening is the Start, Not the Answer 

Put the same asset through two different climate models and you may get different climate risk ratings. One tool might flag high flood risk while another says moderate. Climate Value at Risk (the modeled change in asset value from climate hazards) can also swing across platforms. 

That’s why deeper climate vulnerability assessments matter – to back up the initial screen and capture local factors that the initial high-level pass can miss. This step also aligns with the EU Taxonomy’s approach to climate adaptation. 

Beyond the score differences, investors and risk teams often face a black box on methods and assumptions. That uncertainty is fine for a first look – but not for deciding where to put money to reduce physical risk. 

When Models Disagree, Act on Materiality and Control 

When two screening tools disagree, that’s not an excuse to do nothing. You still need to make a call and move to asset-level checks. 

If a Florida coastal asset shows split flood ratings, the decision isn’t “who’s right?” – it’s “what downtime can we afford, and what can we fix?” Plan for disruption, fix what you can control and price the downtime. If a week closed would spook your top tenant, act now. 

When two weather apps disagree, you still bring a jacket if you can’t afford to get soaked. 

From Screens to Site Reality 

Climate Value at Risk can help as a directional signal, but methods vary, so treat it as guidance – not a verdict. Use portfolio screens to rank exposure, then order targeted vulnerability assessments for the few properties that matter most by value, exposure, or timing. The aim is simple: confirm the hazard, gauge likely disruption, and decide what gets funded now versus what can wait. 

Insurers and lenders increasingly want proof, not slides. Keep a light but credible record: what was checked, what was done, and when it will be reviewed again. Track two simple metrics that translate straight to value – days closed and time to full operations. After major events, local codes often tighten, which favors owners who can show a clear, logged path to resilience. 

Will Your Buildings Stay Open Through the Next Extreme Weather? 

Physical risk isn’t a debate topic; it’s operational. Can you open on Monday? Will residents stay safe and cool during a heat wave? Can your warehouse keep shipping if roads are blocked and the grid hiccups? 

If your portfolio spans higher-risk areas, ask the blunt question: what will it take for this asset to handle the next round of extreme weather – and how do we fund that now without blowing the budget? Rank. Verify. Fund the measures that stick. 

The edge now is turning the screens you already have into choices you can defend – so buildings stay open after a rough week, tenants stick around, and financing stays steady. That’s a plan investors can live with, and it keeps options open when the next round of extreme weather comes. 

Ready to move past the map? EVORA deliver deeper climate vulnerability and adaptation assessments with clear next steps and costs. Contact us to learn more.