Floodlight vs MSCI Climate
Institutional climate analytics from MSCI covering physical risk for 700,000+ companies at 4 million locations, climate VaR, and NGFS scenario stress-testing for investment portfolios.
Satellite-verified emissions data
Emissions figures derived from independent atmospheric satellite observations, not reported disclosures or emissions factors.
MSCI uses disclosed and modelled emissions data, not satellite-observed atmospheric measurement.
Asset-level monitoring
Emissions and risk scores tied to individual facilities, buildings, or assets - not rolled-up sector or company averages.
MSCI covers 4 million asset locations for physical risk; Floodlight adds independent emissions measurement at asset level.
Independent third-party verification
Data produced without reliance on issuer self-disclosure; independently reproducible and auditable by third parties.
Continuous / near-real-time monitoring
Emissions tracked on an ongoing basis with alerts for anomalies; not a once-a-year snapshot.
MSCI provides periodic risk scoring updates, not continuous emissions monitoring.
Global asset coverage (190+ countries)
Coverage of industrial and commercial assets worldwide, not limited to North America or Western Europe.
Scope 1 direct emissions
Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources including combustion, process emissions, and fugitive releases.
MSCI uses disclosed Scope 1 data or modelled estimates - not independently measured.
Scope 3 / PCAF financed emissions
Financed emissions across lending and investment portfolios aligned with PCAF data quality scores 1-3.
Both support PCAF. MSCI uses disclosed data; Floodlight uses satellite-verified figures for PCAF score 1.
Methane and fugitive emissions detection
Detection of methane leaks, venting, and flaring events often missed by factor-based inventories.
CBAM embedded emissions reporting
Facility-level embedded emissions per CN code for EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism importer reporting.
Physical climate risk assessment
Asset-level exposure scores for flood, heat stress, wildfire, sea-level rise, water stress, hurricane, and other perils.
MSCI is one of the market leaders for physical risk at scale - 28 hazards, 4M locations.
Transition risk assessment
Exposure to regulatory carbon costs, stranded-asset risk, and technology disruption under decarbonisation scenarios.
Climate Value-at-Risk (Climate VaR)
Probabilistic financial loss estimate under named climate scenarios, in the same units as market and credit VaR.
Both offer Climate VaR. MSCI's is deeply embedded in institutional workflows.
NGFS Phase V scenario alignment
Stress-testing across all six NGFS Phase V reference pathways (Net Zero 2050, Below 2C, Delayed Transition, etc.).
Portfolio-level VaR aggregation
Covariance-adjusted roll-up of asset VaRs to portfolio level with diversification benefit and concentration heatmaps.
CSRD / ESRS E1 compliance
Data mapped to CSRD ESRS E1 data-point IDs including E1-5, E1-6, and E1-9 financial-effects table.
MSCI provides data inputs for CSRD but not a purpose-built E1 data-point mapping or auditor pack.
SFDR / Principal Adverse Impact (PAI)
PAI indicators for Article 8 and 9 funds including GHG intensity, biodiversity, water, and social metrics.
Full audit trail and data provenance
Every figure traceable to satellite overpass, model version, and confidence band - reproducible by external reviewers.
MSCI provides methodology documentation; Floodlight adds satellite-to-number audit trail for assurance use.
Limited assurance (ISAE 3410)
Methodology and documentation pack sufficient for limited assurance opinion without supplementary procedures.
REST API access
Programmatic access to all data via documented REST API with pre-trade and portfolio query modes.
Honest verdict
Where Floodlight wins
MSCI Climate is built on a data layer that depends heavily on company-disclosed and modelled emissions - it does not independently measure what facilities actually emit. Floodlight's satellite layer adds an independent, observation-based check on the figures MSCI and others use as inputs. Floodlight also covers CBAM embedded emissions and provides a direct auditor pack for CSRD and PCAF assurance workflows that MSCI does not offer. For clients who need their climate disclosures to withstand Big Four scrutiny, Floodlight's methodology documentation and sandbox API are purpose-built for that use case.
Where MSCI Climate wins
MSCI Climate is one of the most comprehensive climate risk platforms for institutional investors. Its GeoSpatial Asset Intelligence covers 28 physical hazards across 4 million locations with Swiss Re natural-catastrophe model integration. Its climate VaR, NGFS scenario tools, and portfolio analytics are deeply embedded in institutional investment workflows. The breadth of company and asset coverage - especially for listed equities and real estate - is difficult to match.
Ready to see Floodlight in action?
Schedule a demo to learn how Floodlight can help you monitor emissions and assess climate risk with satellite-verified data.