New ISSB Disclosure Standards for Climate-Related Risks and Sustainability-related Financial Information
Background and Purpose
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) released standards (IFRS - IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS - IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures) in June 2023, which take effect for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2024. The landscape of climate-related and sustainability-related disclosures has been changing and evolving and the approaches that companies will use under these standards remains to be seen.
To help prepare for these standards taking effect, it will be valuable to have a literature search which pulls gather and synthesizes what is in the literature and how it can be relevant for the actuarial profession; laying out that there is difference of opinion and different methodologies currently in place. How a researcher sees this playing out, and how to equip actuaries for these new standards would be valuable.
It will also be valuable for the research to provide a “big picture” commentary on how lack of a singular emission accounting methodology could lead to great challenges in comparing and benchmarking how companies are quantifying their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
Research Objective
The SOA Research Institute Catastrophe & Climate Strategic Research Program Steering Committee is seeking researchers to conduct a literature search to lay out methodologies and approaches being considered to implement these new standards, along with common terminology and common language determination in the approaches. The research should then synthesize what is in the literature and how it can be relevant for the actuarial profession, given that there is difference of opinion and methodologies. The following are examples of proposed topics that may be addressed:
- What are the approaches to implementing these standards?
- How will this impact the work of actuaries in different practice areas?
- What regional differences exist in what is required?
- How do you see this playing out as we evolve to consistent approaches being adopted?
- What is the reaction by companies that are working to implement these standards?
- What are the takeaways for the actuarial profession of IFRS S1 and IFRS S2?
- What sort of quantitative research do you see as a good follow-up project to this literature search?
Note that the list above is not meant to be exhaustive but merely examples of proposed topics that may be researched.
Please limit proposals to no more than five pages [exclusive of references and researcher bios] in one proposal document.
Proposal Requirements
To facilitate the evaluation of proposals, the following information should be submitted:
- Resumes of the researcher(s), including any graduate student(s) expected to participate, indicating how their background, education and experience bear on their qualifications to undertake the research. If more than one researcher is involved, a single individual should be designated as the lead researcher and primary contact. The person submitting the proposal must be authorized to speak on behalf of all the researchers as well as for the firm or institution on whose behalf the proposal is submitted.
- An outline of the approach to be used (e.g., literature search, model, etc.), emphasizing issues that require special consideration. Details should be given regarding the techniques to be used, collateral material to be consulted, and possible limitations of the analysis.
- A description of the expected deliverables and any supporting data, tools or other resources.
- Cost estimates for the research, including computer time, salaries, report preparation, material costs, etc. Such estimates can be in the form of hourly rates, but in such cases, time estimates should also be included. Any guarantees as to total cost should be given and will be considered in the evaluation of the proposal. While cost will be a factor in the evaluation of the proposal, it will not necessarily be the decisive factor.
As a guide for developing the project budget, please review the Historical Project Cost Guide (see Appendix) - A schedule for completion of the research, identifying key dates or time frames for research completion and report submissions. The Catastrophe & Climate Strategic Research Program is interested in completing this project in a timely manner. Suggestions in the proposal for ensuring timely delivery, such as fee adjustments, are encouraged.
- Other related factors that give evidence of a proposer's capabilities to perform in a superior fashion should be detailed.
Selection Process
The Catastrophe & Climate Strategic Research Program will appoint a Project Oversight Group (POG) to oversee the project. The Catastrophe & Climate Strategic Research Program is responsible for recommending the proposal to be funded. Input from other knowledgeable individuals also may be sought, but the Catastrophe & Climate Strategic Research Program will make the final recommendation, subject to Society of Actuaries Research Institute (SOA) leadership approval. An SOA staff research actuary will provide staff actuarial support.
Questions
Any questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Research-CC@soa.org.
Notification of Intent to submit Proposal
If you intend to submit a proposal, please email written notification to Research-CC@soa.org.
Submission of Proposal
Please email your proposal to Research-CC@soa.org; proposals must be received no later than October 20, 2023. It is anticipated that all proposers will be informed of the status of their proposal by the end of November 2023.
Conditions
The selection of a proposal is conditioned upon and not considered final until a Letter of Agreement is executed by both the Society of Actuaries Research Institute and the researcher.
The Society of Actuaries Research Institute reserves the right to not award a contract for this research. Reasons for not awarding a contract could include, but are not limited to, a lack of acceptable proposals or a finding that insufficient funds are available. The Society of Actuaries Research Institute also reserves the right to redirect the project as is deemed advisable.
The Society of Actuaries Research Institute plans to hold the copyright to the research and to publish the results with appropriate credit given to the researcher(s).
The Society of Actuaries Research Institute may choose to seek public exposure or media attention for the research. By submitting a proposal, you agree to cooperate with the [Society of Actuaries/sponsoring entity] in publicizing or promoting the research and responding to media requests.
The Society of Actuaries Research Institute may also choose to market and promote the research to members, candidates and other interested parties. You agree to perform promotional communication requested by the Society of Actuaries Research Institute which may include, but is not limited to, leading a webcast on the research, presenting the research at an SOA meeting, and/or writing an article on the research for an SOA newsletter.
Conflict of Interest
You agree to disclose any of your material business, financial and organizational interests and affiliations which are or may be construed to be reasonably related to the interest, activities and programs of the Society of Actuaries Research Institute.
Appendix
The cost ranges below are intended as a guide for budgeting project costs for proposals in response to SOA Research Institute Request for Proposals (RFP). Please note these figures span the 33rd to 66th percentiles for all projects as well as projects that involve a specific approach (lit review, survey, etc.). They are based on historical costs over several recent years. Expected costs for some RFPs may fall outside these ranges depending on the nature of the work and resources required for completion.
All Contracted Projects
This category includes all contracted projects that the Institute has undertaken within the last several years.
The 33rd-66th percentile project costs range is $25,000 - $50,000.
Literature Reviews
This category includes projects that involved only a literature review or the cost for the portion of a larger project that included a literature review.
The 33rd-66th percentile project costs range is $15,000 - $20,000.
Surveys
This category includes all projects that had a survey as their primary component.
The 33rd-66th percentile project costs range is $28,000 - $55,000.