Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/72986 
Year of Publication: 
2012
Series/Report no.: 
Nota di Lavoro No. 62.2012
Publisher: 
Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM), Milano
Abstract: 
Despite growing scientific evidence that passing a 2êC temperature increase may trigger tipping points in climate dynamics, most Integrated Assessment Models (IAM) based on Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) with smooth quadratic damage functions are unable to account for the possibility of strong increase in climate damage. Our IAM RESPONSE makes it possible to bridge this gap by integrating a threshold effect damage function which sets a threshold of temperature increase from which climate damages increase significantly. To fit with on-going climate negotiations, this threshold is set at 2êC. Regardless of the bleak prospect of passing the threshold, it turns out that among a broad set of scenarios accounting for the diversity of worldviews in the climate debate, overshooting the 2êC target and then facing the resulting damage may become an optimal strategy for many economic agents who are struck by what we call a doomsday effect. We show that this effect happens for any level of jump in damage and dramatically increases if the beginning of mitigation efforts is postponed till the decade 2010-2020 on. In light of these results, we believe that any further delay in reaching a clear international agreement will close the window of opportunity for meeting the 2êC target with a reasonable chance of diplomatic success.
Subjects: 
Integrated Assessment Model
Non Linear Effect
Doomsday Effect
2êC Target
JEL: 
C61
Q54
Q58
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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