Climate change and energy - Social and health impacts

Title

Summary for Policymakers: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (2011)

Reference

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA

Author(s)

Field, C. B., Barros, V., Stocker, T.F., Qin, D., Dokken, D., Ebi, K.L., Mastrandrea, M. D., Mach, K. J., Plattner, G.-K., Allen, S. K., Tignor, M. and P. M. Midgley (eds.)

Study type

Report 

Abstract

This Summary for Policymakers presents key findings from the Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX). The SREX approaches the topic by assessing the scientific literature on issues that range from the relationship between climate change and extreme weather and climate events ("climate extremes") to the implications of these events for society and sustainable development. The assessment concerns the interaction of climatic, environmental, and human factors that can lead to impacts and disasters, options for managing the risks posed by impacts and disasters, and the important role that non-climatic factors play in determining impacts.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Natural hazards >> Climatic hazards

Keywords

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Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.ipcc.ch/#
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IPCC-Sec@wmo.int

Title

Modeling the impact of land use and climate change on neighborhood-scale evaporation and nighttime cooling: A surface energy balance approach

Reference

Landscape and Urban Planning
Volume 103, Issue 2, 30 November 2011, Pages 139-155

Author(s)

Lily A. House-Peters, Heejun Chang 

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We investigated the impacts of temperature changes derived from climate change scenarios and land cover change on patterns of external residential water consumption and nighttime cooling in suburban Hillsboro, Oregon. Three downscaled climate warming scenarios and two land cover change scenarios (sprawl and dense) for the 2040s were used as inputs for an urban energy balance model, the Local-Scale Urban Meteorological Parameterization Scheme (LUMPS). Based on the surface energy fluxes simulated by the LUMPS model, we calculate that the combination of the sprawl scenario with the 3 °C temperature rise increases external water consumption by 4061 L per household for August. Alternately, dense development concomitant with temperature increase constrains increases in water consumption, but reduces nighttime cooling rates by more than 0.3 °C. Increasing the fraction of trees would increase efficiency in promoting urban cooling while reducing external water consumption. This study demonstrates that urban land cover and water use are naturally intertwined at the neighborhood scale, suggesting that urban land-use planning and water management should be fully integrated to design cities that can accommodate future population growth and development while minimizing negative impacts of potential climate change.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Land use >> Planning     
Urban environment >> Urban planning >> Healthy cities
Water >> Water consumption >> Water scarcity
Water >> Urban water management

Keywords

Urban energy balance; Water consumption; Climate change; Land cover; Temperature; LUMPS

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204611002362
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lilyhp@email.arizona.edu

Title

Trade unions and climate change: The jobs versus environment dilemma

Reference

Global Environmental Change
Volume 21, Issue 4, October 2011, Pages 1215-1223

Author(s)

Nora Räthzel , David Uzzell

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Trade unions are actively engaging with the climate change agenda and formulating climate change policies. Although governments are placing considerable effort on changing consumer behaviour, arguably the most significant impacts on climate change will be through changes in production. Even changes in consumption will have consequences for production. Changes in production will affect workers through the loss of jobs, the changing of jobs, and the creation of new jobs. The jobs versus environment dilemma is a significant issue affecting workers worldwide. In this paper we focus on the ways in which international trade unions are conceptualising the relationship between jobs and the environment, which provide the point of departure from which climate change policies can be formulated. Extended interviews were conducted with senior policy makers in national and international trade unions. On the basis of their responses, four discourses of trade union engagement with climate change are discussed: 'technological fix', 'social transformation', 'mutual interests' and 'social movement', which are theorised in the context of the different international histories and models of trade unionism. All discourses imply a re-invention of unions as social movements but do not see nature as a partner in human development.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Green economy

Keywords

Trade unions; Climate change; Environmental degradation; Jobs versus environment; Social movement unionism

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Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378011001154

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nora.rathzel@soc.umu.se

Title

Long-term effects of ocean warming on the prokaryotic community: evidence from the vibrios

Reference

The ISME Journal (2012) 6, 21–30; doi:10.1038/ismej.2011.89; published online 14 July 2011

Author(s)

Luigi Vezzulli, Ingrid Brettar, Elisabetta Pezzati, Philip C Reid, Rita R Colwell, Manfred G Höfle and Carla Pruzzo

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The long-term effects of ocean warming on prokaryotic communities are unknown because of lack of historical data. We overcame this gap by applying a retrospective molecular analysis to the bacterial community on formalin-fixed samples from the historical Continuous Plankton Recorder archive, which is one of the longest and most geographically extensive collections of marine biological samples in the world. We showed that during the last half century, ubiquitous marine bacteria of the Vibrio genus, including Vibrio cholerae, increased in dominance within the plankton-associated bacterial community of the North Sea, where an unprecedented increase in bathing infections related to these bacteria was recently reported. Among environmental variables, increased sea surface temperature explained 45% of the variance in Vibrio data, supporting the view that ocean warming is favouring the spread of vibrios and may be the cause of the globally increasing trend in their associated diseases.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Water safety
Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity

Keywords

climate change; North Sea; vibrios; Vibrio cholerae; plankton

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.nature.com/ismej/journal/v6/n1/full/ismej201189a.html
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luigi.vezzulli@unige.it

Title

Reference

Author(s)

Kyrre Groven, Carlo Aall, Maya van den Berg, Annika Carlsson-Kanyama & Frans Coenen

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Integrating policy on climate change adaptation into civil protection is explored through studies of extreme weather management at the national level in Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, and through local case studies of the three coastal cities of Bergen, Malmö and Rotterdam. The research issues addressed have been the extent to which, and in what form, climate change adaptation policy has been integrated into civil protection, how the observed policy integration can be explained and how such integration can be improved. Different degrees of policy integration may stem from perceived vulnerabilities and varying needs for renewed legitimacy within the civil protection system following the end of the Cold War. A set of socio-historic characteristics of the “environment” and “civil protection” policy domains illuminate conditions for an improved outcome of the policy integration process.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Natural hazards >> Climatic hazards

Keywords

climate change adaptation, civil protection, policy integration, local environmental policy

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13549839.2012.665859
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kyrre.groven@vestforsk.no

Title

Mapping Climate Change Vulnerabilities to Infectious Diseases in Europe

Reference

Author(s)

Jan C. Semenza, Jonathan E. Suk, Virginia Estevez, Kristie L. Ebi, Elisabet Lindgren

Study type

Peer Review Journal   

Abstract

Background: The incidence, outbreak frequency, and distribution of many infectious diseases are generally expected to change as a consequence of climate change, yet there is limited regional information available to guide decision making.
Objective: We surveyed government officials designated as Competent Bodies for Scientific Advice concerning infectious diseases to examine the degree to which they are concerned about potential effects of climate change on infectious diseases, as well as their perceptions of institutional capacities in their respective countries.
Methods: In 2007 and 2009/2010, national infectious disease experts from 30 European Economic Area countries were surveyed about recent and projected infectious disease patterns in relation to climate change in their countries and the national capacity to cope with them.
Results: A large majority of respondents agreed that climate change would affect vector-borne (86% of country representatives), food-borne (70%), water-borne (68%), and rodent-borne (68%) diseases in their countries. In addition, most indicated that institutional improvements are needed for ongoing surveillance programs (83%), collaboration with the veterinary sector (69%), management of animal disease outbreaks (66%), national monitoring and control of climate-sensitive infectious diseases (64%), health services during an infectious disease outbreak (61%), and diagnostic support during an epidemic (54%).
Conclusions: Expert responses were generally consistent with the peer-reviewed literature regarding the relationship between climate change and vector- and water-borne diseases, but were less so for food-borne diseases. Shortcomings in institutional capacity to manage climate change vulnerability, identified in this assessment, should be addressed in impact, vulnerability, and adaptation assessments.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Climate change

Keywords

adaptation, climate change, infectious diseases, surveillance, vulnerability

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103805
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jan.semenza@ecdc.europa.eu

Title

Projection of climatic suitability for Aedes albopictus Skuse (Culicidae) in Europe under climate change conditions

Reference

Global and Planetary Change
Volume 78, Issues 1-2, July 2011, Pages 54-64

Author(s)

Dominik Fischer, Stephanie Margarete Thomas, Franziska Niemitz, Björn Reineking, Carl Beierkuhnlein

Study type

Peer Review Journal / Report

Abstract

During the last decades the disease vector Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus) has rapidly spread around the globe. The spread of this species raises serious public health concerns. Here, we model the present distribution and the future climatic suitability of Europe for this vector in the face of climate change. In order to achieve the most realistic current prediction and future projection, we compare the performance of four different modelling approaches, differentiated by the selection of climate variables (based on expert knowledge vs. statistical criteria) and by the geographical range of presence records (native range vs. global range).
First, models of the native and global range were built with MaxEnt and were either based on (1) statistically selected climatic input variables or (2) input variables selected with expert knowledge from the literature. Native models show high model performance (AUC: 0.91-0.94) for the native range, but do not predict the European distribution well (AUC: 0.70-0.72). Models based on the global distribution of the species, however, were able to identify all regions where Ae. albopictus is currently established, including Europe (AUC: 0.89-0.91).
In a second step, the modelled bioclimatic envelope of the global range was projected to future climatic conditions in Europe using two emission scenarios implemented in the regional climate model COSMO-CLM for three time periods 2011–2040, 2041-2070, and 2071-2100. For both global-driven models, the results indicate that climatically suitable areas for the establishment of Ae. albopictus will increase in western and central Europe already in 2011-2040 and with a temporal delay in eastern Europe. On the other hand, a decline in climatically suitable areas in southern Europe is pronounced in the Expert knowledge based model. Our projections appear unaffected by non-analogue climate, as this is not detected by Multivariate Environmental Similarity Surface analysis.
The generated risk maps can aid in identifying suitable habitats for Ae. albopictus and hence support monitoring and control activities to avoid disease vector establishment.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Biodiversity impacts
Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts

Keywords

Asian tiger mosquito; dengue; global change; global warming; species distribution model; invasion; vector-borne disease

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921818111000798
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uni-bayreuth.de 

Title

Reference

Nature  476, 438-441
doi:10.1038/nature10311

Author(s)

Solomon M. Hsiang, Kyle C. Meng & Mark A. Cane

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

It has been proposed that changes in global climate have been responsible for episodes of widespread violence and even the collapse of civilizations. Yet previous studies have not shown that violence can be attributed to the global climate, only that random weather events might be correlated with conflict in some cases. Here we directly associate planetary-scale climate changes with global patterns of civil conflict by examining the dominant interannual mode of the modern climate the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Historians have argued that ENSO may have driven global patterns of civil conflict in the distant past, a hypothesis that we extend to the modern era and test quantitatively. Using data from 1950 to 2004, we show that the probability of new civil conflicts arising throughout the tropics doubles during El Niño years relative to La Niña years. This result, which indicates that ENSO may have had a role in 21% of all civil conflicts since 1950, is the first demonstration that the stability of modern societies relates strongly to the global climate.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts

Keywords

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v476/n7361/full/nature10311.html
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shsiang@princeton.edu

Title

Estimating the Global Public Health Implications of Electricity and Coal Consumption

Reference

Environ Health Perspect 119:821-826
doi:10.1289/ehp.1002241.

Author(s)

Julia M. Gohlke, Reuben Thomas, Alistair Woodward, Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Annette Prüss-üstün, Simon Hales, Christopher J. Portier

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background: The growing health risks associated with greenhouse gas emissions highlight the need for new energy policies that emphasize efficiency and low-carbon energy intensity.
Objectives: We assessed the relationships among electricity use, coal consumption, and health outcomes.
Methods: Using time-series data sets from 41 countries with varying development trajectories between 1965 and 2005, we developed an autoregressive model of life expectancy (LE) and infant mortality (IM) based on electricity consumption, coal consumption, and previous year's LE or IM. Prediction of health impacts from the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) integrated air pollution emissions health impact model for coal-fired power plants was compared with the time-series model results.
Results: The time-series model predicted that increased electricity consumption was associated with reduced IM for countries that started with relatively high IM (> 100/1,000 live births) and low LE (< 57 years) in 1965, whereas LE was not significantly associated with electricity consumption regardless of IM and LE in 1965. Increasing coal consumption was associated with increased IM and reduced LE after accounting for electricity consumption. These results are consistent with results based on the GAINS model and previously published estimates of disease burdens attributable to energy-related environmental factors, including indoor and outdoor air pollution and water and sanitation.
Conclusions: Increased electricity consumption in countries with IM < 100/1,000 live births does not lead to greater health benefits, whereas coal consumption has significant detrimental health impacts.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Health impacts
Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Air pollution
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Climate change

Keywords

air pollution, climate change, coal, electricity, energy policy, global health, health impact modeling, infant mortality, life expectancy, time series.

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1002241
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jgohlke@uab.edu

Title

CAESAR models for developmental toxicity

Reference

Chemistry Central Journal 2010, 4(Suppl 1):S4
doi:10.1186/1752-153X-4-S1-S4

Author(s)

Antonio Cassano , Alberto Manganaro, Todd Martin, Douglas Young, Nadège Piclin, Marco Pintore, Davide Bigoni and Emilio Benfenati

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Background
The new REACH legislation requires assessment of a large number of chemicals in the European market for several endpoints. Developmental toxicity is one of the most difficult endpoints to assess, on account of the complexity, length and costs of experiments. Following the encouragement of QSAR (in silico) methods provided in the REACH itself, the CAESAR project has developed several models.
Results
Two QSAR models for developmental toxicity have been developed, using different statistical/mathematical methods. Both models performed well. The first makes a classification based on a random forest algorithm, while the second is based on an adaptive fuzzy partition algorithm. The first model has been implemented and inserted into the CAESAR on-line application, which is java-based software that allows everyone to freely use the models.
Conclusions
The CAESAR QSAR models have been developed with the aim to minimize false negatives in order to make them more usable for REACH. The CAESAR on-line application ensures that both industry and regulators can easily access and use the developmental toxicity model (as well as the models for the other four endpoints).

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Impacts >> Health impacts
Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.journal.chemistrycentral.com/content/4/S1/S4
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emilio.benfenati@marionegri.it

Title

Positive effects of vegetation: Urban heat island and green roofs

Reference

Environmental Pollution
Volume 159, Issues 8-9, August-September 2011, Pages 2119-2126

Author(s)

T. Susca, S.R. Gaffin and G.R. Dell'Osso

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper attempts to evaluate the positive effects of vegetation with a multi-scale approach: an urban and a building scale.
Monitoring the urban heat island in four areas of New York City, we have found an average of 2 °C difference of temperatures between the most and the least vegetated areas, ascribable to the substitution of vegetation with man-made building materials. At micro-scale, we have assessed the effect of surface albedo on climate through the use of a climatological model. Then, using the CO2 equivalents as indicators of the impact on climate, we have compared the surface albedo, and the construction, replacement and use phase of a black, a white and a green roof. By our analyses, we found that both the white and the green roofs are less impactive than the black one; with the thermal resistance, the biological activity of plants and the surface albedo playing a crucial role.

Policy theme(s)

Urban environment >> Urban biodiversity
Biodiversity >> Ecosystem services
Urban environment >> Urban planning >> Healthy cities
Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts

Keywords

Vegetation, Green roof, Surface albedo, Urban heat island

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749111001539
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Tiziana.susca@gmail.com

Title

Urban and rural mortality rates during heat waves in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany

Reference

Environmental Pollution
Volume 159, Issues 8-9, August-September 2011, Pages 2044-2050

Author(s)

Katharina M.A. Gabriel and Wilfried R. Endlicher

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In large cities such as Berlin, human mortality rates increase during intense heat waves. Analysis of relevant data from north-eastern Germany revealed that, during the heat waves that occurred between 1990 and 2006, health risks were higher for older people in both rural and urban areas, but that, during the two main heat waves within that 17-year period of time, the highest mortality rates were from the city of Berlin, and in particular from its most densely built-up districts. Adaptation measures will need to be developed, particularly within urban areas, in order to cope with the expected future intensification of heat waves due to global climate change.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Environment and health >> Health risks >> Climate change
Natural hazards >> Climatic hazards

Keywords

Urban climate, Heat waves, Thermal stress, Human mortality rates, Adaptation measures

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749111000388
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wilfried.endlicher@geo.hu-berlin.de

Title

Financing the resilient city. A demand driven approach to development, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation

Reference

An ICLEI White Paper

Author(s)

Jeb Brugmann

Study type

Report

Abstract

ICLEI's latest Global Report, 'Financing the Resilient City', offers answers on how climate financing for adaptation can be mobilized, leveraged and innovated for the local level.
Authored by Jeb Brugmann, Managing Partner of The Next Practice Ltd. and ICLEI's Founding Secretary General, the report argues that we need a bottom-up approach to funding resilience and adaptation to climate change. It also supports the idea of resilience as a coherent approach to future urban planning.
The report answers questions such as: How can local governments finance resilience sustainably? Where does the money come from? How can the money be spent effectively?

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable urban development

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://iclei.org/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/Global/Publications/Report-Financing_Resilient_City-Final.pdf
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iclei@iclei.org

Title

Modelling the effects of past and future climate on the risk of bluetongue emergence in Europe.

Reference

Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 2011; DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2011.0255

Author(s)

H. Guis, C. Caminade, C. Calvete, A. P. Morse, A. Tran, M. Baylis.

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Vector-borne diseases are among those most sensitive to climate because the ecology of vectors and the development rate of pathogens within them are highly dependent on environmental conditions. Bluetongue (BT), a recently emerged arboviral disease of ruminants in Europe, is often cited as an illustration of climate's impact on disease emergence, although no study has yet tested this association. Here, we develop a framework to quantitatively evaluate the effects of climate on BT's emergence in Europe by integrating high-resolution climate observations and model simulations within a mechanistic model of BT transmission risk. We demonstrate that a climate-driven model explains, in both space and time, many aspects of BT's recent emergence and spread, including the 2006 BT outbreak in northwest Europe which occurred in the year of highest projected risk since at least 1960. Furthermore, the model provides mechanistic insight into BT's emergence, suggesting that the drivers of emergence across Europe differ between the South and the North. Driven by simulated future climate from an ensemble of 11 regional climate models, the model projects increase in the future risk of BT emergence across most of Europe with uncertainty in rate but not in trend. The framework described here is adaptable and applicable to other diseases, where the link between climate and disease transmission risk can be quantified, permitting the evaluation of scale and uncertainty in climate change's impact on the future of such diseases.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Livestock management
Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Agricultural adaptation
Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts

Keywords

climate change, vector-borne disease transmission, basic reproductive
ratio, emergence, bluetongue, Culicoides

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2011/06/22/rsif.2011.0255.full.pdf+html
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matthew.baylis@liverpool.ac.uk

Title

Impact of galactic cosmic rays on Earth's atmosphere and human health

Reference

Atmospheric Environment
Volume 45, Issue 23, July 2011, Pages 3806-3818

Author(s)

A.K. Singh, Devendraa Siingh and R.P. Sing

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) originating from astrophysical sources and traversing through the interstellar/interplanetary medium reach the terrestrial atmosphere and produce complex dynamic changes in it. The flow rate of GCRs incident on the Earth's upper atmosphere is varied by the solar wind and the geomagnetic field. Striking correlations between the cloud cover and GCR fluxes on long time scale are observed whereas on short time scale no significant correlation is found. These observations are directly related to climate variations on short term as well as long term. In the present paper, we have reviewed and attempted to provide an overview of cosmic ray effects on terrestrial processes such as electrical phenomena, lightning discharges cloud formation and cloud coverage, temperature variation, space weather phenomena, Earth's climate and the effects of GCRs on human health. It is shown that CRs control long term variations of some of the above mentioned physical processes, which in turn control short term and long term variations in climate. It is also pointed out that there are many basic phenomena which need further study and require new and long term data set.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts

Keywords

Cosmic rays, Atmosphere, Clouds, Climate, Space weather, Human health

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N /A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231011004055
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aksphys@gmail.com

Title

Adapting for a Green Economy: Companies, Communities and Climate Change

Reference

A Caring for Climate report by the United Nations Global Compact,
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Oxfam, and
World Resources Institute (WRI)

Author(s)

See above

Study type

Report

Abstract

Drawing on the results of a 2010 survey of corporate signatories to the United Nations Global Compact and the United Nations Environment Programme Caring for Climate initiative,as well as on existing literature, this report makes the business case for private sector adaptation to climate change in ways that build the resilience of vulnerable communities in developing countries. It then offers
actions that companies and policymakers can pursue to catalyze and scale up private sector action on adaptation. It is ultimately the responsibility of the public sector to meet the critical climate change adaptation needs of the poor and vulnerable; thus private sector engagement cannot substitute for critically needed public investment and policies. However, private sector investment can serve as a pivotal part of a comprehensive governmentled approach to addressing climate impacts.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Social and health impacts
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Green economy
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable business and industry

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://pdf.wri.org/adapting_for_a_green_economy.pdf
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www.unglobalcompact.org / www.unep.org / www.oxfam.org / www.wri.org