October 2026

​As climate change intensifies, physical climate risk is becoming a material issue for commercial real estate. Extreme heat, flooding, wildfires, severe storms, water stress, and other climate hazards can damage buildings, disrupt operations, and threaten the health and safety of occupants and communities. These impacts are also influencing insurance, financing, and investment decisions, making climate resilience a key consideration for maintaining building performance and supporting long-term asset value. 

Managing these risks requires implementing resilience strategies at multiplescales. At the portfolio level, organizations can conduct risk assessments and analyses that help guide where to invest in resilience. At the property level, building and site upgrades, operational practices, and ongoing maintenance can reduce vulnerability as climate conditions change. Resilience also extends beyond individual properties, as infrastructure, utilities, public agencies, and communities influence how effectively buildings and the people who depend on them can withstand and recover from climate-related disruptions. 

This guidance report serves as both an introduction to the commercial real estate resilience landscape and a practical guide to implementation. Bringing together current research and guidance, building-specific case studies, and insights from a range of resilience experts, it offers a comprehensive perspective on how the real estate industry can understand, manage, and reduce physical climate risk.