Climate Change and Development

'Economic losses from natural disasters totaled $92 billion in 2015.' Such statements, all too commonplace, assess the severity of disasters by no other measure than the damage inflicted on buildings, infrastructure, and agricultural production. But $1 in losses does not mean the same thing to a rich person that it does to a poor person; the gravity of a $92 billion loss depends on who experiences it. By focusing on aggregate losses-the traditional approach to disaster risk-we restrict our consideration to how disasters affect those wealthy enough to have assets to lose in the first place, and largely ignore the plight of poor people. This report moves beyond asset and production losses and shifts its attention to how natural disasters affect people's well-being. Disasters are far greater threats to well-being than traditional estimates suggest. This approach provides a more nuanced view of natural disasters than usual reporting, and a perspective that takes fuller account of poor people's vulnerabilities. As climate change magnifies natural hazards, and because protection infrastructure alone cannot eliminate risk, a more resilient population has never been more critical to breaking the cycle of disaster-induced poverty.

This stocktaking of what the global low-carbon transition may mean for fossil fuel-dependent countries (FFDCs) and how they can manage its risks and harness emerging opportunities.

Can developing countries eradicate poverty in the face of climate change?Shock Waves examines the complex relationship between climate change and poverty, offering strategies for managing climate impacts on vulnerable populations. This report demonstrates the urgency of reducing poverty and vulnerability to climate change. Discover how rapid, inclusive, and climate-informed development can prevent most short-term impacts, while pro-poor emissions-reduction policies can drastically limit long-term ones. Learn how to: - Reduce climate-related shocks and stresses - Prevent climate change from increasing poverty - Implement pro-poor mitigation policies For policymakers, development practitioners, and researchers, this book provides insightful analysis and actionable recommendations for building a more sustainable and equitable future.

Can development be decoupled from carbon emissions? This insightful guide outlines practical steps for policymakers, academics, and development practitioners to achieve a zero-carbon future while fostering economic growth and protecting vulnerable populations. Decarbonizing Development tackles the complex challenge of climate change by offering a three-pronged approach: - Planning with the end goal in mind - Implementing policy packages that incentivize technological innovation and behavioral changes - Managing the transition to protect the poor and avoid concentrated losses Discover how countries can navigate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy, ensuring a more equitable and prosperous future for all. A must-read for anyone concerned with climate change and global development. Written by Marianne Fay, Stephane Hallegatte, and team.