On December 2, 2025, Zillow announced that it would no longer display climate-risk scores on its home listings, removing the data previously provided by First Street Technology. This decision marks a significant shift for the real estate platform, which had introduced these climate-risk scores in 2024 as part of an effort to offer potential homebuyers a clearer picture of the environmental threats facing properties. These scores included assessments of potential hazards such as flooding, heatwaves, wildfires, windstorms, and air quality issues over the next 30 years.
The move to remove these climate-risk scores came after growing criticism from various industry groups, including the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS). One of the main concerns was that the ratings sometimes overstated the risks associated with certain properties. For example, properties in areas with historically low risk of flooding were often given high-risk ratings based on projections, leading to concerns that buyers might be unfairly scared away from purchasing homes in these locations. The climate-risk scores were seen by some as a potential distortion of the real estate market, possibly influencing buyers to avoid properties that were, in reality, not at significant risk of the hazards highlighted.
CRMLS voiced these concerns, arguing that the inclusion of such risk scores could have negative consequences for property values and the broader housing market. They feared that potential buyers might misinterpret the scores, resulting in reduced demand for homes in areas that were, in their view, being inaccurately labeled as high-risk. As a result, there were calls for more accuracy in how climate risks were being communicated, along with a recognition that risk levels can vary significantly by region and are influenced by numerous factors that might not be captured by a single score.
Zillow’s decision to remove the climate-risk scores came in response to these concerns, as well as the broader regulatory landscape surrounding climate-risk disclosures. Different states and local governments have varying regulations about what must be disclosed to potential buyers, and in some areas, the inclusion of such climate-risk data is either unnecessary or inconsistent with state laws. Zillow’s spokesperson emphasized that the removal of the scores was a response to these complexities, acknowledging that while the data could be valuable, it had to be presented in a way that aligned with local regulations and provided buyers with accurate, meaningful insights.
Although the climate-risk scores will no longer appear directly on property listings, Zillow clarified that the underlying data is still available through external links, allowing users to access more detailed information if they wish. This means that while the direct visibility of climate risks will be reduced on the main platform, those interested in deeper insights into a property’s environmental vulnerabilities can still find this information through other channels.
This move by Zillow could have significant implications for other major real estate platforms and their handling of climate-risk data. The decision comes at a time when many regions are still grappling with how best to regulate the disclosure of climate risks in real estate transactions. The removal of the scores might encourage other platforms to rethink how they present climate data, especially in areas where regulations are unclear or inconsistent.
Ultimately, Zillow’s choice to remove climate-risk scores underscores the challenge of balancing transparency with market stability. As climate change continues to be a growing concern, it is likely that real estate platforms will continue to experiment with how to present this information in a way that is useful, accurate, and legally compliant. The broader real estate industry will likely be watching closely to see whether other platforms follow suit, and how consumers respond to the changing availability of climate-risk information in home buying decisions.
