Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Climate Change Risks Could Cost Developing Countries Up to 19% of GDP by 2030


Climate Change Risks Could Cost Developing Countries Up to 19% of GDP by 2030 Report says action on climate adaptation may significantly reduce losses and increase economic sustainability.

NEW YORK, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- (WORLD-WIRE) A report from the Economics of Climate Adaptation Working Group released today indicates that climate risks could cost nations up to 19% of their GDP by 2030, with developing countries most vulnerable. The report concludes, however, that cost effective adaptation measures already exist that can prevent between 40 and 68 percent of the expected economic loss with even higher levels of prevention possible in highly target geographies.

The report, titled "Shaping Climate-Resilient Development", offers a comprehensive and replicable methodology to determine the risks that climate change imposes on economies. It provides a set of tools for decision makers to adopt a tailored approach for estimating these costs based on local climate conditions, and for building more resilient economies. These tools do not include estimates or measures for emissions reduction, which would need to be examined separately. More >>>