Economics and Equity of Adaptation

 We work with and develop economic tools for climate change action that improve the welfare of the poor and vulnerable while supporting sustainable development and the environment. 

In light of the emerging consensus on the need to tackle the economic structures at the heart of climate change, it is increasingly being said that that this is the ‘decade of the environmental economist’. Such enthusiasm should not be squandered by partial solutions or political gain, and the economics used must address sustainable development and equity considerations. 

It is recognised that many environmental problems such as climate change, pollution, land degradation and biodiversity loss are in part the result of market failures. These market failures are present in most sectors of the economy, from primary production such as agriculture, forestry, and extractive industries to manufacturing and tourism. Customers, government agencies, retailers, companies and middlemen taking decisions about market purchases are seldom affected directly. 

Compounding this, indirectly, the market rarely incorporates true costs of environmental or social externalities. Thus, the incentives need realigning to ensure positive sustainable development outcomes. 

We work on adaptation audits, climate standards, equity audits and carbon finance.  

Staff

Tom Birch

Muyeye Chambwera

James MacGregor