UNOC 2025 and related events: discover how EDHEC and its researchers are involved

ECI-EIB Adaptation Days

EDHEC Business School and EDHEC Climate Institute (ECI) are pleased to invite you to the "EC - EIB Adaptation Days". This event takes place on June 5-6, 2025 in Nice, France, with the option to join online via live streaming.

The event, organised on the EDHEC Campus, by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank and held under the auspices of the UN Ocean Conference, will explore the critical theme of Coastal Resilience.

• Official website of the event: https://events.eib.org/event/66590435-831d-405c-b08c-43b46a9c0418/summary

• Onsite and online – Registration: https://events.eib.org/event/Adaptation-Days/regProcessStep1:2df97eee-d23f-4990-b20f-323593782d14

Sea level rise poses a significant threat to coastal populations. The increasing frequency and intensity of storms, waves, and wind patterns exacerbate coastal erosion, flooding, and saltwater intrusion. Tropical cyclones now affect millions of people annually, leading to numerous casualties and substantial economic damage and disruption. In a world increasingly impacted by global warming, the conference will explore pathways to enhance coastal resilience and access climate adaptation finance.

• Full programme is available here: https://events.eib.org/event/66590435-831d-405c-b08c-43b46a9c0418/agenda

This event is a unique opportunity to engage with climate resilience professionals from public and private sectors, including officials from finance and environment ministries, corporate representatives, and experts from the financial and insurance sectors.

EDHEC, by investing significantly in climate risk valuation at the crossroads of climate science and management, aims to provide clear, actionable insights for businesses and society. In that sense, EDHEC Climate Institute, co-initiator of this conference with the EIB and the European Commission, leads currently three major initiatives: a cross-sector taxonomy on alignment and resilience, climate scenario probability tools, and the launch of Europe’s first climate-focused financial rating agency.

Speakers from EDHEC and ECI are scheduled for the following slots:

June 5 – 1.45 pm. Introduction keynote by Nicolas Schneider, Senior Research Engineer – Macroeconomist at EDHEC Climate Institute: “Framing the key issues on climate adaptation and coastal climate impacts”.

June 5 – 2.30 pm. During the technical masterclasses, Nicolas Schneider will present a research entitled “Existence and use of granular climate data for projecting the regional economic cost of physical climate risks”. The session is chaired by Roman Roehrl (EIB) and will feature insights from a distinguished panel of international experts. Researcher Nicolas Schneider will explore how high-resolution climate data supports economic risk analysis and informs smarter, place-based adaptation strategies.

June 6 – 9 am. Welcome address by Emmanuel Metais, Dean of EDHEC Business School. Along with Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President, European Investment Bank, Kurt Vandenberghe, Director General, Climate Action, European Commission and Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice and President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropole.

June 6 – 11.40 am. Anthony Schrapffer, Scientific Director of the EDHEC Climate Institute, will present a research entitled “Modelling financial value of coastal infrastructure at risk: a scientific rating approach” along with a climate risk map for coastal infrastructure, providing a data-driven assessment of specific vulnerabilities and exposures. Rather than triggering disinvestment, the approach highlights where strategic adaptation can improve risk profiles and unlock capital for high-exposure coastal assets. By providing a standardised, science-based framework, ECI researchers enable risk-aware capital allocation and fosters alignment among stakeholders. Finally, resilience is valued as a driver of financial performance, with the methodology identifying tailored adaptation levers that improve asset scores and encourage investment.

Conference dedicated to the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition

Rémy Estran-Fraioli, CEO of Scientific Climate Ratings (an EDHEC Venture), is speaking at the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Summit (UNOC3 conference) in Nice, France.

Coastal cities and regions are at the forefront of climate change. Faced with more intense climatic events (erosion, submersion, flooding, storms, extreme precipitation, drought…), they must adapt urgently and sustainably.

• Official website: https://oceanrise-coalition.org/
• Participation by invitation only

June 7, 2025 – 2 pm

Session 9: Engaging the Insurance Sector

Speaker: Rémy Estran-Fraioli, CEO of Scientific Climate Ratings (an EDHEC Venture)

Moderated by Benjamin Ehl, Axa Group

Side Room 2, Quai Amiral Infernet, Nice, France

This high-level discussion will focus on how science-based climate risk ratings can help mobilise the insurance sector. Scientific Climate Ratings complement, rather than duplicate, the work of insurers by providing forward-looking, science-based climate risk assessments to inform strategic decision-making. Its new ratings, covering over 6,000 infrastructure assets, offer a common framework that aligns stakeholders across the value chain and supports the development of more resilient and insurable infrastructure.

AI & BlueTech, the next wave of ocean protection

This UNOC3 side event is organised by the French Ministère de la Transition écologique, de la Biodiversité, de la Forêt, de la Mer et de la Pêche, in partnership with an international consortium of stakeholders* committed to ocean conservation.

• To register and browse the full programme: https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/ai-blue-tech-the-next-wave-of-ocean-protection-tickets-1382014094359

It aims to address the potential of artificial intelligence and sustainable marine technologies in combating pollution, preserving marine biodiversity and strengthening coastal resilience.

Two highlights are planned for June 10, 2025:

• From 11:30 am to 12:15 pm, in the ORCA room (Green Zone – Exhibition Centre): round table and screening-debate on AI innovations applied to the fight against plastic pollution and sustainable coastal management.

• From 1:45 pm to 3 pm, at the European Pavilion for a Digital Ocean (Green Zone): high-level session combining scientific openness, pitches for innovative solutions and political discussions.

These discussions will be followed in the evening by an event organised by EDHEC Alumni with Waves of Change Coalition (see below).

* DGAMPA - Affaires maritimes, pêche et aquaculture, Ocean Purpose Project, World Ocean Council, Tech Mahindra, Waves of Change Coalition, Société Générale, Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur.

Ocean Impact Forum – EDHEC Alumni x Waves of change

EDHEC Alumni and Waves of Change organise on the EDHEC Nice campus a unique evening dedicated to impact, innovation and commitment to the ocean.

June 10, 2025, from 6 pm to 9.45 pm

• The complete programme is available here: https://alumni.edhec.edu/fr/event/edhec-by-nature-ocean-impact-forum/2025/06/10/22207

The evening will begin at 6 pm with a welcome speech, followed by the screening of an excerpt from the documentary Nouvelles Cartes, in the presence of its directors, Clara Dormart and Étienne Martin (EDHEC Alumni).

After introductory messages from Waves of Change, EDHEC and the Ministry for Ecological Transition, François Gabart will give a keynote speech.

Three highlights will then punctuate the evening: a round table on coastal innovation, a session of pitches from committed start-ups, and a round table on talent and preservation.

At 8.50pm, a themed networking session will bring together speakers, solution providers and participants around eight major issues related to the ocean, ecological transition and innovation.