Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/28248 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
ZEW Discussion Papers No. 09-057
Publisher: 
Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung (ZEW), Mannheim
Abstract: 
Given the ubiquitous scarcity of resources an economic approach is necessary in order to determine an optimal strategy of adaptation to climate change. In this paper we develop an economic framework for the study of adaptation which allows us to distinguish between decentralized adaptation by private agents on the one hand and centralized adaptation measures by public authorities on the other. The approach is based on the paradigm of market failure and is complemented by two further grounds of government action, equity concerns and security of supply. We identify open research questions in the nascent field of adaptation to climate change requiring further empirical investigation. The economic framework is applied to adaptation in Germany by analyzing impacts and adaptation options for climate-sensitive fields such as agriculture, energy, water, and public health.
Subjects: 
Climate change
adaptation
market failure
insurance
JEL: 
Q54
Q58
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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