The costs to developing countries of adapting to climate change: new methods and estimates

This draft for consultation is the first outcome of a study intended to develop an estimate of adaptation costs for developing countries and to help decisionmakers in developing countries understand and assess the risks posed by climate change and design better strategies to adapt to climate change. The study focuses on seven case study countries: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, Samoa and Vietnam.

This document is an initial study report focusing on the first of these two objectives. It estimates the costs for major economic sectors under two alternative future climate scenarios – one wetter and one drier. It places particular emphasis on improving understanding of the impacts, sensitivity and vulnerability of the poor and most vulnerable social groups, of what adaptation would imply for their livelihoods, and what forms of public support are needed to facilitate such changes. It is intended to help policymakers cost, prioritize, sequence, and integrate specific adaptation strategies within the context of development plans and budgets.