Moneyscience Blog Call for Contributions: Water Risk and Its Impact on the Financial Markets and Our Society: New Developments in Risk Assessment and Management

Description Concordia University and Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University kindly invite contributions to the forthcoming edited book, entitled “Water Risk and Its Impact on the Financial Markets and Our Society: New Developments in Risk Assessment and Management,” to be published by Palgrave Macmillan and being considered for the “Palgrave Studies in Sustainable Business: In Association with Future Earth” book series. ABOUT THE BOOK Water risk, including the lack of access to fresh water for personal and industrial use, droughts, floods, and water contamination, is not a new problem, and is intensified in the face of climate change, population growth, and rapid economic development. Properly identifying, measuring, and managing water risk as well as taking advantage of related mitigation opportunities is essential for the future well-being of firms across various industries, investors, local and federal governments, and ultimately our society as a whole. Our financial system is changing as investors display an ever-larger appetite for sustainable investments and increasingly assimilate climate risks and sustainability considerations in their investment approaches. In light of these trends, it is imperative that financial investors, corporate managers, and policymakers understand the importance and potential impacts of water risk as well as the interconnectivity between water risk and financial and societal developments. In its 2019 Global Risks Report, the World Economic Forum considers water risk as a “global risk” and “existential challenge” for society. However, the identification, measurement, and management of water risk among academics, practitioners, and regulators is still at a developmental stage. Our edited book will shed light on this topic by examining the unique measurement and modelling challenges associated with either the scarcity or overabundance of water (e.g., droughts and floods, but also the lack of access to clean water, water pollution, rising sea water levels, disputes of rights to water access, etc.) and their interaction with finance and society. Specifically, it will (1) identify and classify different types of water risk, (2) explore approaches to assess and operationalize water risk, and (3) show how it affects the financial and social system (thereby exploring the vulnerability of institutions and markets as well as strategies for risk mitigation). A comprehensive analysis of water risk in finance should â€" as an extension â€" provide the basis for the development of appropriate risk management techniques. Approaches may include both actions to protect against the threats from water risk and measures to benefit from opportunities. We address this topic from the perspective of institutional investors who engage in the risk and return management of financial firms, corporate financial managers as well as from the perspective of financial supervisors, regulators, and central bankers. Water-related risks create unique challenges for individuals and institutions as well as for our entire society. Traditional risk management approaches are typically inadequate in addressing them. Our book fills a gap in the literature by providing important new insights on water risk and related opportunities. It explores a wide range of topics in the field, providing a combined financial and societal as well as a local and global perspective. We will select chapter submissions from key players in the field. CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS The editors are inviting contributions from the international community of scholars and practitioners at the interface of finance, economics, geology, philanthropy, and policy. The contributions will explore the potential repercussions of water risk for individual entities (citizens, firms, and investors), local and federal governments, as well as our economy and society. They will present, review, and critically analyze current assessment methods and management techniques for water risk and will discuss ongoing and potential innovations in this field. The contributions will aim to highlight the current hurdles and challenges â€" technological, social, cultural, geographic and political â€" which are impeding the global transition from traditional short-term financial models towards effective long-term and combined financial-social solutions. Considering the interconnected and complex nature of water-related risks, the co-editors are encouraging contributions that are transdisciplinary in their approaches. Moreover, because the main focus of the proposed edited collection is to examine a broad range of emerging innovations, the co-editors will also be accepting chapters that incorporate new concepts or tools beyond the academic fields of finance, economics, and social science. Contributions could come from the natural sciences, especially from geology and meteorology, as well as engineering solutions that seek to address technical and technological challenges in the conception, development, and management of water-related infrastructures. Moreover, the co-editors welcome contributions that present experimental approaches or concepts that have yet to be applied. Chapters that use case studies or comparative studies in this context are strongly encouraged. Finally, considering the global nature of climate change and its multi-scale consequences, the co-editors encourage authors to critically consider the scalar relevance â€" at the local, regional, national, and supranational levels â€" of their contributions. POTENTIAL TOPICS FOR CHAPTERS 1. Dimensions of water risk a. Types of water risk b. Disclosure standards c. Overview of regulations d. Consequences of water risk e. Opportunities from water risk 2. Water risk assessment a. Existing tools b. New tools c. Water risk stress testing 3. Water risk management a. Water risk derivatives b. Water risk insurance c. Social governance 4. Data science and its use in water risk management a. Advances in high-resolution geo-mapping b. Modelling approaches using neural networks, artificial intelligence, and other advanced methods   IMPORTANT DATES • Abstract and CV submission deadline â€" April 31st, 2020 • Selection of abstracts and notification to successful contributors â€" May 30th, 2020 • Full chapter submission â€" September 31st, 2020 • Comments/feedback provided to authors â€" October 30th, 2020 • Revised chapter submission â€" December 30th, 2020 GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS Submissions should be written in a non-technical writing style. The contributions may include original diagrams/illustrations in order to present data, or photographs/figures to better illustrate the topic discussed. Submitted chapters should be original and exclusively prepared for the present book. No part of the article should be published elsewhere. Chapters must not exceed 7,000 words (including all references, appendices, biographies, etc.), must use 1.5 line spacing and 12 pt. Times New Roman font, and must use the APA 6th edition reference style. Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit an abstract of 750 words maximum, a bibliography for their proposed chapter, and a CV. Abstract submissions are expected by March 31st, 2020. Submissions should be sent via email to emerging.risks@concordia.ca Authors will be notified about the status of their proposals and will be sent complete chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be submitted by August 31st, 2020. It goes without saying that there are no submission or acceptance fees for submitted manuscripts.