The Institute of Risk Management (IRM) has announced the formation of the Climate Change Special Interest Group (CC SIG) for its members to better understand the risks associated with climate change.

Martin Massey has been appointed chairman of the IRM CC SIG, and will host its inaugural event — titled, “The role of the risk manager in assessing climate risks” — next month.

Massey has years of risk management experience, and has held positions at organizations including Swiss Re, Aon, AIG and Marsh.

“Today’s world is increasingly defined by unpredictable events with severe and lasting consequences that impact on an organization’s ability to survive and thrive,” Massey said.

“Effective business risk managers must develop greater global situational awareness to understand and stay ahead of these direct and indirect risks. As the professional body that trains, promotes and improves standards in risk management, the formation of this group is to provide a platform for our membership who work with climate-change risks on a regular basis."