We are delighted to announce that Atreya Dey has been awarded the PRI Best Student Paper of 2024 for his paper titled: ‘Inattention to the Coming Storm: Rising Seas and Sovereign Credit Risk’.
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Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) host annual Awards for Outstanding Research, and the Best Student Paper is one of the prestigious recognitions in the field of finance and sustainable development.

Atreya’s paper explores how sovereign credit markets are beginning to address the risks of coastal flooding, which are being worsened by rising sea levels. In today’s world, the need for information around these risks are becoming more widespread and urgent, as markets recognise the medium- to long-term threats posed to affected countries. Interestingly, the paper found that markets seem to respond to long-term climate change forecasts, but with a delay, whereas countries that have invested in protective measures that have taken decades to build are rewarded, as their risk levels remain stable.

Atreya has been invited to the PRI In Person conference, taking place later this month in Toronto, to present his paper.

It’s incredibly rewarding to have my work recognised at such a critical time when investors and markets are grappling with how to incorporate physical climate risks into their decisions. My research focuses on understanding hard-to-price impacts like coastal flooding, sea level rise, temperature changes, and biodiversity loss, so it’s an honour to be acknowledged in this space.
Atreya Dey

Luca Taschini, adviser to Atreya, said: ‘Huge congratulations to Atreya, for winning the Best Student Paper award from the PRI. This is a fantastic achievement, and I couldn’t be prouder! The recognition of this award is testament to strong relationship and smooth collaboration between The University of Edinburgh Business School and Baillie Gifford, through whom Atreya has received a PhD Fellowship.’

As a School we are immensely proud that this partnership with Baillie Gifford continues to foster ground-breaking research in the area of climate finance and responsible investment. This achievement clearly underscores the value and success such collaborations can bring, and we are hopeful to continue building on this fruitful partnership in the future.


Atreya Dey

Atreya Dey is a current postgraduate researcher.