Case study: Climate data integration for PwC France
Hydroclimat supported PwC France in an innovative project to integrate advanced climate data. The aim of this initiative was to provide climate indicators for 13 sites across Europe, in order to identify their exposure to climate risks and offer their clients high-performance decision-making tools. This project is part of our climate change data service.
Project context
In a world where climate risks are becoming a major issue, PwC was looking to enrich its climate resilience solutions with reliable and accurate data. Hydroclimat was commissioned to provide 12 climate indicators covering key parameters such as extreme temperatures, maximum precipitation and high winds. These indicators were calculated for three climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) over four future time horizons (2031-2060, 2041-2070, 2051-2080, and 2061-2090).
Project phases
1. Definition of needs and climate indicators
The project began with an in-depth analysis of PwC’s specific needs. Hydroclimat worked closely with the teams to identify the most relevant parameters to include in the study. These 12 climate indicators included :
- Temperature-related indicators, such as the number of days of extreme heat, periods of frost, or the variation in average temperature compared with a reference period.
- Precipitation-related indicators such as consecutive dry days, standardized precipitation index, and 1- and 5-day maximum precipitation totals.
- Wind-related indicators, including average wind speed and number of days with severe storms.
These indicators have been specifically designed to reflect the climatic hazards affecting the sites identified in line with European regulations.
2. Climate data collection and processing
Raw data were collected from the CMIP6 climate package. Hydroclimat applied a rigorous methodology to guarantee data reliability:
- Error correction: Climate data have been adjusted using statistical techniques to reduce discrepancies between climate models and historical observations.
- Spatial resolution refinement: The spatial resolution of climate projections has been statistically refined to improve simulation accuracy and adapt results to site specificities.
3. Site analysis and results customization
Each site was subjected to a specific analysis, taking into account its geographical and climatic characteristics. Indicators were calculated for each site, scenario and time horizon, enabling a precise assessment of climatic risks.
For example, for a site exposed to extreme precipitation, the RX5DAY (Maximum 5-Day Precipitation) indicator, which represents the maximum amount of precipitation accumulated over a period of 5 consecutive days, was used to assess the intensity of extreme precipitation events and their evolution in a context of climate change. An increase in this indicator may indicate an increased risk of pluvial flooding and intense hydrometeorological events.
4. Production of deliverables
The results were delivered in the form of structured files, easy to integrate into PwC’s digital systems. Each file contained the values of the 12 climate indicators and the risk rating, adapted to the defined scenarios and time horizons. The deliverables were accompanied by explanatory technical notes to facilitate their interpretation.
5. Validation and feedback
Once the data had been delivered, Hydroclimat followed up to ensure that they were understood and optimally integrated into PwC’s tools. Regular exchanges enabled us to fine-tune certain aspects and ensure compliance with expectations.
What are the results?
This project has enabled PwC to integrate high-precision climate data into its climate resilience solutions. The 12 climate indicators provided have enriched PwC’s predictive analysis capabilities to better understand and anticipate climate risks.
Thanks to this climate data, PwC was able to :
- Personalize services by providing site-specific analyses.
- Strengthen its ability to offer recommendations based on sound scientific data.
- Explore new opportunities to meet the growing need for physical climate risks.
What are the prospects?
This project paves the way for an even broader integration of climate data into financial and consulting services. In the future, Hydroclimat and PwC may collaborate on projects including other climate data, such as extreme weather events or floods.
Hydroclimat relies on proven methodologies and recognized expertise to support financial sector players in their transition towards sustainable and resilient solutions to climate challenges.