Why are Corporate Bonds considered to have higher climate risk?

Corporate bonds are considered to have higher climate risk primarily due to issuer emissions and asset locations. The emissions produced by the companies that issue these bonds contribute significantly to climate change, as they are often involved in activities that may lead to carbon emissions. Additionally, the geographic location of their assets can exacerbate this risk; for example, if a corporation has significant operations in regions vulnerable to climate-related events (like floods or extreme weather), the financial stability of those operations could be threatened. These factors make corporate bonds particularly susceptible to the physical and transitional risks associated with climate change, impacting their long-term viability and attractiveness to investors.

On the other hand, interest rate fluctuations are generally more relevant to fixed-income securities as a whole and do not specifically pertain to climate risk. Limited market demand affects liquidity and pricing but does not directly correlate with climate-related risks. The long-term maturity of certain corporate bonds can influence their exposure to market risks over time, but it is not a primary reason for increased climate risk compared to the direct impact of emissions and asset locations.